Tips & Best Practices for Attending an Online Conference – Part II

June is upon us, which means Atla Annual 2021 Online is right around the corner! Last year, in preparation for our very first online Atla Annual, we published a guide full of tips and best practices for attending an online conference. Well, a whole year has somehow gone by, and our staff is now eminently familiar with online conferences (whether they like it or not). So we have some updated advice and tips to share with you! 

Get distracted easily?

Charlotte Nahon, Member Programs Coordinator, says, “My tip is to fidget to focus. To keep from looking at email or getting distracted by other commitments, I keep my hands occupied with fidget toys, or if it’s a more extended webinar, a simple knitting project. It really helps me from feeling restless. Somehow when my hands are busy, my mind seems to wander less!”

Need Tech Help?

Margot Lyon, Business Development Director, says, “I find it helpful to turn off ‘self-view’ of my video in Zoom, especially for longer meetings. It feels unnatural to be looking into a video mirror. Here’s how you can do it.

Zoom also has improved over the past year and offers many keyboard shortcuts (make sure you are using the latest version). For example, here are two of my favorites:

• Alt+V: Start/stop video
• Alt+A: Mute/unmute audio

In terms of general tips, I also love the World Clock Meeting Planner that allows me to schedule online meetings across many global time zones.”

Feeling Peckish?

Jamie Lin, Education & Professional Development Manager, says, “My favorite development of the last year is same-day online grocery shopping and delivery. I have definitely found myself placing orders late in the day, and am amazed to be able to receive the items before going to bed. Recently, my son had several teeth extracted, and I was able to order him soft foods like applesauce, pudding, and yogurt in time to add them to his school lunch bag the next day! I’ll definitely be placing at least one order during conference week, stocking up on ready-to-eat snacks and meals, as well as a variety of beverages to ensure I stay hydrated. I have learned that if I shop when I’m not hungry or thirsty, I end up with a healthier selection to choose from!”

Make time for fun conversations!

“One of my favorite things about conferences is the random conversations I have with people who sit next to me either during a session or a social event,” says Tawny Burgess, Marketing and Communications Manager. “I love meeting other people who love what I love, which is why conferences are so fun! While that’s a bit harder to do online, we’ve created a way for attendees to have a similar experience. We’re hosting three Social Hours during the week that lets attendees sit at a virtual table and talk with others, screen to screen. While I am introverted and being on screen all day is exhausting, knowing that I can just chat with other people who have the same passions as I do, is a nice treat at the end of the day.”

Burnt out? We get it. 

It’s been a long year, and we’re all pretty tired of being online. Ana Cackley, Communications Assistant, (that’s me) says, “Remember that it’s okay if you don’t make it to everything. Folks will understand if you need to step away for a few minutes or you need a break to re-center yourself. Consistency is more important than perfection, so don’t be down on yourself if you can’t juggle everything at once. You’re doing your best!”

If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out last year’s advice for tips on everything from setting up your space and tech etiquette to self-care and presenting!

We hope you find these best practices for online conferences useful for Atla Annual 2021 Online! If you have any suggestions for fellow presenters or attendees, share them with us on Facebook or Twitter. Still have a question about Atla Annual 2021 Online? Check out our FAQs or contact us. 

Haven’t registered for Atla Annual 2021 Online yet? Join our community of collectors from around the world from June 16-18, 2021. Learn more and register today!