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Virtual Conference weaves information web
NATIONAL OLIVE INDUSTRY virtual conference
Virtual Conference weaves information web
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The AOA’s annual National Olive Industry Conference was a little different this year, connecting participants over the world wide web rather than tables in a venue space. Going virtual due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions, the 2020 event once again provided a wealth of new information and ideas, while also opening new opportunities for industry learning into the future.
Increased attendance
AOA CEO Greg Seymour said the 2020 Virtual Conference was a success at many levels, starting with participation.
“We had 212 individual registrations, compared to around 150 including speakers, sponsors and exhibitors for a ‘standard’ conference in recent times. Given that those attendance numbers have been quite good for an industry of our size, an increase of 40% this year is really meaningful and shows there was a great deal of interest in the information presented,” he said.
“Attendance for the four sessions was pretty even too, with an average of 140 for each, so we’re confident that the entire program hit the mark in terms of user relevance and practicality. And we’ve since had good feedback about all the speakers, and about the information presented across the board.
“The attendee breakdown was also really positive: there were people right along the supply chain but the vast majority were growers, and a lot were people who don’t usually go to the physical conference or haven’t been able to in recent times.
“So while it was obviously a little less personal and interactive this year, the virtual format provided a large number of industry members with access to high quality information they might have missed out on by not going to a physical conference.
“That’s definitely a silver lining in the ‘Corona-cloud’.
Popular format
Seymour said the logistics and practicalities of taking the event online meant a complete re-structure of the usual full-day program format.
“We realised that sitting in front of a computer screen all day just wasn’t going to hold people’s attention, so we needed to tailor the material and the way we presented it to suit the format,” he said.
“So we decided to run this year’s event as two hour sessions over four consecutive days, each on a different theme - Soil Management, Grove Management, Olives and Health, and Marketing.
“We also thought really hard about the timing and what would work best for growers, including working across our wideranging time zones. In the end we designed it to coincide with lunchtime in WA, which with daylight saving meant mid-late afternoon in most other states. It gave growers the opportunity to get a decent day’s work done and then come in for the conference session.
“From the overall feedback, and the fact that it was so well supported, we reckon we got the timing pretty right. And similarly, the feedback has indicated that the two hour duration was about the right length.”
Practice makes (almost) perfect
Changing to an online format meant also getting a handle on the technology involved, and ensuring it worked for people with varying levels of expertise and equipment.
“We were pulling together speakers and delegates from across the country, and while most of us had by necessity learned at least the basics of ‘Zooming’, running a conference is a lot more complex than holding a meeting,” Seymour said.
“There’s also the issue of differing bandwidths and drop-outs, particularly with the increased online use while so many of us are working from home.
“So we decided that the best option was to pre-record the formal presentations, as it allowed them to include good visuals and greatly increased the quality, and then go live for the interactive Q&A and discussion sessions.
“Then we had rehearsals, we practised
and got it right beforehand, so we were pretty confident – as much as you can be when you’re working with technology – that it’d be right on the day. And except for the odd minor glitsch, it was.
“Similarly, we worked out that the AIOA virtual presentation was better done largely pre-recorded – it’s such an important event for the winning producers that you don’t want anything to go wrong.
“So we had it filmed in a studio by a professional video team, ensuring it was a seamless, high quality presentation. Trudie Michels and Kent Hallett did a great job as MCs – and we were all impressed by their ‘black tie’ effort – and it went off really well.”
Post-event access
All of the sessions were also recorded and have subsequently been made available for viewing on the OliveBiz website, a move Seymour said has been well received.
“While the format and timing increased the opportunity for attendance this year, the reality is that things happen and not everyone who registers is able to attend on the day,” he said.
“Having the recordings available gives them the chance to ‘attend’ when they are able to, and I’ve had feedback from a number of people already that they’ve really appreciated being able to do that.
“It also means that all registrants can refer back to the information at a later time if they want a refresher on what they learned.”
Delegate feedback
Seymour said industry feedback on the 2020 national virtual conference has been incredibly positive, summed up well by Bruny Island Olives owner Owen Carington Smith: “It was a great week. In particular all the new material that came out, even though there had been a string of webinars beforehand and “field days” before C-19 closed everything down. “I attended all the sessions and found that I probably absorbed more information because it is so one-onone, rather than various distractions in a conference setting. “It was also perhaps easier to get through all the questions? “However somehow Zoom is more intense and I doubt I would have coped with sessions longer than the 2-2.5 hours, compared to all-day activities at a conference. “No matter how well run the Zoom conference approach is (and it was very well run), nothing beats an actual Conference and meeting up again with all the industry face to face. So we look forward to Devonport 2021.”
New tools = increased opportunities
Seymour said that, while it was a steep learning curve, the success of the virtual conference has had valuable outcomes.
“It was really well received and the audience participation showed us that it worked as another communications option,” he said.
“Most importantly, it’s really taught us about how we can use this platform in a number of ways. Combined with our experience with the webinars earlier in the year, we’ve seen that it offers another
NATIONAL OLIVE 2021 INDUSTRY conference & exhibition
The 2021 AOA National Olive Conference and Exhibition will once again be a face-to-face event, providing the industry networking and socialising we all missed this year.
Details for your diary are:
Where: Devonport, Tasmania When: Friday, 16 October to Sunday, 18 October. Further details will be announced in the new year.
platform for sharing information, and there’s a lot more you can do in a way that’s appropriate for your audience.
“For example, we now know we don’t have to wait for a conference to ‘get together’, we can provide access to international people and expertise even when they can’t travel, and we can also incorporate some of these things into future live conferences to expand the offering.
“The virtual format will never replace live conferences, and we’re all looking forward to getting together in Devonport next year, but it has now definitely become part of the AOA’s extension armoury both during the year and during future conferences.”
Access conference recordings
Conference registrants can access the conference recordings on the Events section of the OliveBiz website. Passwords are needed for each video and have been emailed to all registrants.
Those who were unable to attend can resister now to access the recordings. As with the Conference, registration is free for AOA members and there is a charge for non-AOA members of $33 per day/session or $100 for access to all days.
To register, go to the Conference recordings page under Events on the OliveBiz website – www.olivebiz.com.au.
Sponsors and exhibitors
A range of sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are available for the 2021 event, providing promotion of your business directly to the industry. To secure your preference early, please contact Gerri Nelligan for a prospectus: email her at editor@olivegrower.com.au or phone 0408 525 798.
Note: the AOA is confidently moving ahead with arrangements for the physical event, however all future events remain subject to the pandemic status at the time.
