Introducing the OnAIR Virtual and Hybrid Event Platform – so much more than just a webinar!

With the stringent travel restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, an increasing number of event organizers are searching for ways to take their events online. However, the notion that virtual events consist of rather dull, one-sided webinar-type meetings where attendees can (at best) only interact in a live question and answer session has left a lot of them doubtful about whether going virtual is really worth it.

In response to this need to create more engaging virtual events, the team at EventsAir has  developed OnAIR, a powerful virtual and hybrid event solution, which allows users to experience virtual events in ways that far exceed the webinar experience. In short, through the OnAIR platform, event organizers are able to replicate a conference and event experience in a secure virtual space.

How OnAIR Came About

The EventsAir team came up with the concept for the OnAIR solution when the COVID-19 pandemic made it impossible for their customers to hold live events. Rather than sitting back and waiting things out, the team decided to be proactive and find a way to help clients create highly engaging and interactive events in the virtual space. They set to work to develop the innovative new virtual event platform and were ready to launch the first version of the OnAIR solution in just 6 weeks. The platform provides all the functionality required to turn virtual events into engaging interactive experiences.

What is OnAIR?

OnAIR is a virtual and hybrid event platform that offers a comprehensive, end-to-end solution for organizing, managing, and running virtual and hybrid events. With OnAIR, event organizers have the flexibility to set up and run virtual, hybrid or blended events anywhere, anytime, and on any device.

Backed by a highly responsive 24/7 support team and the latest in online security, OnAIR allows attendees, sponsors, exhibitors, and speakers to meet in a single, secure online space to present, showcase, learn, and discuss business via the user-friendly OnAIR timeline interface.

Built on the EventsAir 6th Gen event management platform, OnAIR allows organizers to manage the complete online event journey from registration and agenda scheduling through to session attendance, meeting matching, plenary and speaker sessions, lead capture, sponsor advertising, live Q&A and polling, and much more.

What Types of Virtual Content are Available through OnAIR?

The OnAIR platform provides a wide variety of interactive features to make your virtual event more engaging, and the list of options is continually growing. Here we discuss a few of the most popular features that event organizers are using to create highly successful virtual events.

Virtual Sessions

OnAIR allows users to run sequential and/or concurrent virtual sessions, just like a live event, but with greater flexibility. Instead of being restricted to live sessions only, OnAIR presentations may take the form of live webinar-type sessions, pre-recorded sessions, or live stream events using a professional AV team. Sessions can also be presented as panel discussions or interactive workshops where speakers and attendees can all take part and interact with each other.

Concurrent and Targeted Sessions

Concurrent sessionsare usedto run multiple tracks, allowing attendees to jump through a range of different topics. These can be filtered at the point of registration so that attendees are guided to sessions that most closely match their interests.

Live Stream Sessions on a Single Platform

Live stream sessions in which video feeds of live content are pushed through a video service, such as YouTube or Vimeo, are extremely popular. OnAIR facilitates the process by connecting to the feed and presenting it live via the OnAIR portal. So, guests don’t need to switch between multiple software platforms to view content. This is also a great way to produce high quality presentation style content.

On Demand Sessions

The OnAIR platform allows event organizers to offer on demand sessions that are pre-recorded and can be viewed in their entirety any time. The participant simply selects the session that interests them from the OnAIR timeline. On demand sessions are perfect for briefings and sessions that need to be accessed at different times during the event.

Synchronized Sessions

Synchronized sessions are pre-recorded sessions that start at a scheduled time and run in real time, similar to live presentations. These are especially useful when hosting an international conference where speakers may be in different time zones, have bandwidth issues, or need a little extra confidence boost to present. Support staff can moderate live Q&A and polling during synchronized sessions, simulating a live presentation experience.

Meeting Hub

Event attendees can hold side meetings using the meeting hub feature by requesting a meeting with other attendees. Once the other party accepts the meeting, they can interact via live video chat or text messaging. Attendees can exchange contact details and take notes that can be exported at the end of the event.

Networking Groups

The networking groups feature allows organizers to set up a number of different group interactions. Facilitated groups of up to four people can be set up around a given topic. A good way to get sponsors involved is by adding them as facilitators to run the discussion. Attendees may also be assigned to pre-set groups based on data captured during the registration process. Facilitators can share their screens in these groups to keep the group on topic. Pre-set groups are great for connecting like-minded attendees and encouraging interaction. Social groups add an element of fun to the event allowing the audience to break into smaller groups for short periods to encourage interaction. They can switch between groups to meet new people and exchange ideas.

Exhibitions Marketplace

Great news for sponsors, suppliers, and partners is the ability to host virtual exhibitions on the OnAIR platform. Much like their physical counterparts, virtual exhibition halls allow exhibitors and attendees to interact with each other. Attendees are able to explore the hall, drop in at different virtual exhibition stands and interact with stand personnel. The attendee simply selects a stand they wish to visit and requests a virtual conversation with the exhibitor. The exhibitor sees a list of attendees in a queue and interacts with them via live video chats. Exhibitors can also share PowerPoint slide presentations, and may choose to have their interactions recorded. Attendees can view exhibitor profiles at any time and download brochures in advance of the exhibit hall opening, plus watch promotional videos while they wait to meet.

ePoster Sessions

ePoster sessions form an important part of many conferences and the OnAIR platform provides a way for organizers to replicate this experience online via ePoster hall and gallery. These virtual interactive  presentation sessions allow attendees to review different posters and click into the presentations that interest them. The poster presenter may present the poster live via a one-way video chat to groups of up to 40 attendees. During the chat, attendees can view the presenter and their presentation materials. Attendees are also able to speak with the poster presenter and may view or download presentation handouts. They can view the presenter’s bio and a synopsis and preview of the presentation.

Live Support Hub

Live support is crucial in the virtual space as so many attendees and presenters are only just becoming familiar with the virtual environment. A live support hub is available throughout every OnAIR-hosted event, allowing guests to log tickets, chat or share their screens with event organizers for technical assistance during the event.

Highest Levels of Security

The OnAIR platform offers a proven, secure solution that complies with even the most stringent security and logistics constraints, making it suitable for use by government and political event organizers. Built on the award-winning EventsAir platform, its offers PCI and GDPR security compliance out of the box.

Ongoing Development

The EventsAir mantra is to create great software that offers event organizers a way to design successful events. By introducing OnAIR, it has allowed thousands of users around the globe to continue offering great attendee experiences and, more importantly, to do business in a secure online environment.

Development of the OnAIR solution is an ongoing process. As the market evolves and user demands change, so will OnAIR, offering new and exciting event innovation ideas for many years to come.

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EventsAir has been at the forefront of Event Technology and Innovation for over 30 years, continually pushing the boundaries of what an event management platform can do. Built by event planners for event planners, EventsAir is a secure, scalable, cloud-based solution that can manage everything from in-person, virtual to hybrid conferences, meetings and events in a single online platform – anywhere, anytime and on any device. In use in over 50 countries by multi-national corporations, professional conference organizers, government departments and tertiary education institutions, EventsAir is also used in global congresses such as G20, APEC, CHOGM and ASEAN, as well as sporting events like The Olympic Games, World Rugby, Commonwealth Games and Pan Am Games. EventsAir is trusted by event professionals around the globe. For further information, visit www.eventsair.com