Virtual Synergy 2020

Main ServiceS: Event Design & Management | Conference Design & Management | Live Event Production | Virtual & Digital Productions | Destination Production

Always Included: Experience Design | Project Management | Program Strategy | Creative Strategy | Health & Safety

Key Elements: Speaker Management | Health & Safety Management

After the cancellation of the Synergy 2020 program in Austin TX due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, our client was still motivated to bring the programming to their audience, safe in their homes. Originally a 3 day in-person conference with over 70 educational sessions and 3 social celebrations turned into a 10-day virtual series, with 2 educational sessions per day and 3 interactive social events. We were engaged to execute the 3 social elements and create lasting experiences that could be enjoyed virtually.

The Experience

The Synergy Conference typically celebrates the local community and a lot of effort is put into ensuring delegates traveling to the conference city have the chance to experience the local scene. When we decided to move to a virtual solution, we knew we needed to bring in the local flavour to the heavily education focused conference. The CEO of Shareworks didn't want to deliver just another webinar, but rather wanted to ensure we were creating valuable experiences and maintaining the Shareworks reputation of being fun, engaging and above average.

Three social events were produced virtually showcasing local talent, locations and products that not only allowed us to contribute to the Austin economy but provided attendees with much needed interaction and escape.

The first session was a custom video tour of Gold Rush Vinyl, one of Austin's leading vinyl pressing factories, with a live Q&A between Caren Kelleher, CEO of Gold Rush, and Chief Marketing Officer of Shareworks, James Thomas. We produced a video, taking guests behind the scenes at the Gold Rush Vinyl factory, with CEO Caren Kelleher describing her experiences as an entrepreneur and explaining the vinyl pressing process. This was broadcast over Zoom webinar and was followed by a live Q&A session where attendees were able to ask Caren questions about her business, her career and the music industry.

The second session saw us partnering with local Austin Chef, Aaron Franklin for a BBQ demo and live Q&A. Similarly, we produced a video, this time in Aaron's backyard as he walked guests through how to grill the perfect steak and make a simple bbq sauce.

We closed the virtual conference with an interactive concert with Ruby Jane and the Reckless, live from a studio in Austin! The full band loaded in with masks and hand sanitizers at the ready, and took them off only to perform the live set. It was an intimate setting and was enjoyed as much by the band as it was by the attendees.

Safe, engaging and fun!
Whizbang Moment

We were able to bring together teams in 4 cities to produce a series of virtual events shortly after the global lock-down. This was one of the first examples of how creating engaging content is still possible and meaningful in a virtual setting.