Academic poster sessions are a vital part of scholarly conferences, providing opportunities for knowledge sharing, networking, and collaboration. While the traditional format of poster sessions must adapt for virtual events, a well-planned virtual experience – supported by a robust online platform – can offer an excellent alternative for authors looking to showcase their research.
Taking academic poster sessions online
At BeThere Global, we believe that every aspect of the virtual event experience should be just as rich and rewarding as attending in person. Achieving this requires adapting academic poster sessions for the virtual world by revisiting their core objectives and ensuring these are fully realized in the online environment.
Objective 1: Knowledge dissemination
Poster sessions are a key opportunity for researchers to present their work to the academic community. Posters often include complex data, detailed diagrams, charts, and references, making them rich sources of information.
At in-person events, attendees might only have a brief moment to glance at a poster amidst the bustle of the conference. In a virtual environment, however, attendees can review posters at their leisure, ensuring more meaningful engagement with the research.
Advanced online platforms, such as ours at BeThere Global, enhance this experience with features like:
- High-resolution poster viewing with zoom-in functionality.
- Embedded audio or video presentations where authors can summarize their key findings.
- Accessibility options to ensure all attendees can engage with the content.
No matter how busy the event, virtual poster sessions guarantee that each delegate can access and explore this crucial knowledge at their own pace.
Objective 2: Networking
Virtual events excel at breaking down physical barriers, opening up networking opportunities to a truly global audience. While in-person events are limited to those able to travel, virtual poster sessions bring together researchers from across the world.
Networking in a virtual environment can be facilitated through a range of features, including:
- Live chat or video calls for immediate interactions.
- Virtual drop-in sessions where attendees can engage directly with poster authors.
- Follow-up options such as email links, enabling continued discussions and collaboration long after the event ends.
These tools not only replicate the networking opportunities of physical conferences but often expand them, allowing for deeper and more inclusive engagement.
The key to successful virtual poster sessions
As highlighted throughout, the success of virtual poster sessions depends on the capabilities of the online event platform. To meet the dual goals of knowledge dissemination and networking, the platform must offer essential functionalities.
When selecting an online event platform, it’s important to ensure it provides:
- High-quality poster display options that accommodate complex research content.
- Networking tools that foster meaningful connections between attendees.
- Accessibility features to include all participants.
By choosing the right platform, you can create a seamless and engaging experience for both poster authors and attendees—one that mirrors or even surpasses traditional in-person sessions.
Get in touch with us today to explore how our platform can help you deliver successful and engaging events, including virtual poster sessions
Conclusion
Academic poster sessions are a cornerstone of scholarly exchange, and virtual events provide an exciting opportunity to enhance their impact. By focusing on knowledge dissemination, networking, and the capabilities of your online platform, virtual poster sessions can meet and even exceed the objectives of traditional formats.
Far from being a compromise, virtual poster sessions open up new possibilities for accessibility, inclusivity, and global reach. With careful planning and the right tools, you can create impactful and engaging experiences that benefit researchers and attendees alike.
