While the children and teachers our industry supports transition to distance learning as a result of COVID-19, we have an opportunity to think about the future of educational facilities in a similar manner. Because of the inability to meet in person this year in Charlotte, NC, EDspaces is now a Digital Experience.
Unlike most events which have shifted to a virtual environment by just duplicating the schedule online with webinars, we remain focused on creating an experience that will engage our attendees and exhibitors while providing the content and connections that make EDspaces one of the fastest growing events in the world.
First and foremost, let’s address the connections and community aspect of the event. Connecting face to face with friends, colleagues, and exhibitors of your choice will be accomplished by using an intuitive interface. In addition, the platform that has been chosen will use an Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithm to better understand attendee challenges and goals. Armed with this data, the platform will then make suggestions of relevant education sessions, other attendee connections who are experiencing similar challenges or have relevant expertise, and product solutions that match interest and need. EDspaces in person is an appointment-driven event and EDspaces Digital Experience will take these possible connections to a whole new level.
Digital Platform Debuts October 21
Understanding that no one just wants to sit in front of a computer for a week and look at recorded webinars, we have created different specific activities over the course of a few weeks to encourage attendees and exhibitors to get the most out of the experience while still being able to take care of other business commitments. First, the EDspaces digital platform will become available on October 21 for attendees to begin to build out their schedules and select the sessions and exhibitors they are interested in exploring.
We remain focused on creating an experience that will engage our attendees and exhibitors while providing the content and connections that make EDspaces one of the fastest growing events in the world.
Innovation Day: October 28
Next, on October 28 the event formally begins with Innovation Day. Noted author Ted Dintersmith will kick off the event with an inspiring keynote session on how schools can accomplish big change with little steps. Following the keynote, we will launch the new product showcase where exhibitors can demonstrate fresh ideas and provide a sneak peak of the innovation that abounds at EDspaces. The day is capped off with the celebration of the EDspaces Innovation Awards in conjunction with Learning by Design Magazine.
As mentioned earlier, the platform will suggest curated connections for attendees. We have reserved three full days (October 29, November 5 & 9) to allow the opportunity to explore these connections and meet face to face by video to build your network, tap into industry expertise, and see innovative product demonstrations. Select these meetings during your schedule when you want them.
Dealer Day: November 4
A large part of EDspaces is creating an opportunity for exhibitors to meet with their distribution partners. Dealer salesforces need to be trained on new products to become a better resource for their A&D and school customers in the marketplace. November 4 has been reserved as Dealer Day, to encourage these meetings and give the industry the expertise necessary to succeed. Manufacturers will have the ability to have an entire dealer sales staff connected with them in special virtual meeting rooms to demo new products, give showroom presentations or explore market strategies. As a special enhancement, David Solomon and Paul Holland from Solomon Coyle will also give two targeted sessions to help dealers compete more effectively in the new sales environment.
Main Event: November 10-12
Now for the Main Event, November 10-12 is filled with the content that has made EDspaces the most anticipated educational facilities conference of the year. Choose from 40 engaging and interactive EDsessions and participate in dynamic roundtables. Explore thought-provoking tours of new facilities or learn more about the E-sports trend and how schools can provide this exciting new sport and become inclusive of more students. One outstanding additional benefit of going digital is that the EDsessions are recorded giving all registrants the ability to watch any session of interest on demand after the event as well. During these Main Event days, the Marketplace remains open to explore manufacturer offerings, schedule meetings, and get the information required to accomplish goals.
These are challenging times and we understand attending a digital event is different from one that is in person. We encourage you to look at the schedule of events and put the sessions of interest into your schedule. Also, block out some time for making the connections you are interested in and explore those suggested by the platform. Put your out of office message on and experience distance learning. If our kids can do it, so can we. See you at EDspaces Digital Experience.