DESTINATION RWANDA - FIGO
CONNECTION CO-ORDINATION: MANAGING AN INTERNATIONAL HYBRID EVENT DURING THE PANDEMIC Local PCO: SRC Agency Rwanda SRC Agency Rwanda was the local PCO that worked with FIGO
the Opening Ceremony and, within the programme, some of
and ICS to make the congress a success. The event, initially
the keynote speakers were Rwandan professionals in the field
scheduled for June 2019, was postponed and re-modelled into
of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
a hybrid congress with a hub in Kigali. This was the first hybrid conference for FIGO.
As many delegates would normally travel to a destination for a meeting, how has the perspective
How were the cultural aspects and touches added
changed or expanded with a hybrid event?
into the event experience for both online and in-person
Delegates would still want to experience the destination and
guests of the Congress?
the challenge for event organisers would be to design “visual”
Being a hybrid event it was important for virtual delegates to
and “sound” virtual experiences for the delegates. Organisers
get a true feel of Rwanda’s culture. The live streamed Opening
now have to develop TV production skills to bring to life this
Ceremony was the highpoint of the Congress, with traditional
element of events. The event has to be seen as a TV
Rwandan décor, including the mesmerizing traditional
production. Now that’s a challenge!
Rwanda Dancers. Feedback from onsite conference management team How did Rwanda showcase itself as a destination
Handling onsite management for the FIGO congress was
throughout the Congress?
an unforgettable experience. The challenges that come
The iconic Kigali Convention Centre is a replica of the former
with technology are always there so it is vital to have both
traditional King’s Palace and was the backdrop for the website
a strong virtual as well as a technical partner on the ground.
landing page. Onsite décor was typically Rwandan and host-
It is definitely a collaborative effort as we are now not
esses were dressed in Rwandan attire known as Mushanana.
only co-ordinating the onsite delegates but also the
H.E. First Lady Jeannette Kagame was the Guest of Honour at
online delegates.
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