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America not only through what we say at the event, but Another advantage of virtual events is that they afford
also through what they see, witness, hear, taste, etc." opportunities for laser-focused thinking and strategy,
Bartzen advised planners not to think of a virtual event Reuben noted. For example, she can review an agenda
as an online version of a physical event. "Your base has to to prioritize topics and then selectively consume the
be online, digital or at least at a distance," she said. "Your content asynchronously and on-demand, according to her
benchmark needs to be that way. And you don't need to schedule.
put together a live show. You can do a webinar, which is a
great format for some occasions. But have in mind that a "It's my timeline," Reuben said. "That type of thinking
webinar is not a keynote you would normally watch live changes the game not only as an attendee but as an event
but in front of a camera. It has to be a format on its own, designer. Forget tradition. Shift to digital-first thinking,
with its own characteristics and requirements." and you will see new possibilities. Expecting to simulate
the in-person event experience in a digital-first world is a
Bartzen also noted that virtual events, by their very waste of time. It's better to embrace the difference and run
nature, are competing with platforms that stream movies, with it—leverage digital capabilities for an entirely new
documentaries, television shows, homespun videos and and reimagined experience."
other forms of entertainment. This means people can
leave your event at any time to watch TV, listen to music, Part 2 of this series will showcase novel approaches
etc., and that is why it is critical to present dense business to digital conferencing as payments industry leaders
content while paying attention to the format, length leverage nascent virtual platforms to drive digital-first
and secondary experiences you offer, like networking content, audience engagement and excitement.
possibilities, she added.
Dale S. Laszig, senior staff writer at The Green Sheet and managing
Get deeply techy director at DSL Direct LLC, is a payments industry journalist and content
development specialist. She can be reached at dale@dsldirectllc.com
Bartzen emphasized making virtual events as interactive and on Twitter at @DSLdirect.
as possible and recommended helping your audience
connect with each other via Q&A tools and live chats
that enable them to engage in real time with speakers.
"It is important to offer a plural experience exchange,"
she said. "At our Latin America Summit, we had a
team ready to reply to all attendees' interactions and
questions live, on the platform, so hosts wouldn't
have to."

Also, pay close attention to technical aspects and
make sure you have backup plans, Bartzen added. The
same principles used to stage a physical event, such
as using a VPN or exclusive network, implementing Our ISO  Exclusive low cost Bill&Pay
network redundancy and back-up generators, will electronic invoicing pricing
help to optimize connectivity. Don't underestimate & ISV  Robust, cost effective
these aspects when going online; they are just as i3 Transafe gateway with
essential as they are in the "real" world, she stated. Partners seamless integration

Deborah Reuben, founder and CEO of TomorrowZone, Enjoy  Multiple pricing options including
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proposed that staging digital events requires a  Complimentary statement
digital mindset. "I don't think about attending digital analysis
events in the same way as I would in-person," she  L2 & L3 interchange savings for
said. "Digital venues enable radical inclusion, access B2B merchants
and choice. Prioritizing live interaction, collaboration
and networking during digital events enables me to  Choose from numerous
make new connections more efficiently than when I platforms and sponsor banks
am traveling to events."  NDF cutoff times as late as 11pm
Get strategic

Reuben called the virtual world her turf, stating that
the pandemic has increased her event participation Technology driven. Human powered.
by enabling her to attend events that she may have
passed up in the past. Barriers to attending have Contact Us
evaporated, which means less cost, less travel and ISORecruitment@i3verticals.com
more awesome, she stated.

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