Highlights from our Inaugural Industry Event: Eventicon 2021 - The Comeback, Hosted on Fireworks™️ by Eventcombo

Jul 01, 2021 Manish Kumar

Team Eventcombo planned and rolled out the most significant and exciting inaugural industry event in its history: Eventicon 2021 - The Comeback . It was a virtual event like none other. The two-day event hosted an impressive line-up of globally reputed speakers, industry influencers, and senior event experts. The growing trend of “Phygital” (physical + digital) events was a key topic of discussion by various experts.   

Saroosh Gull, CEO, Eventcombo launched Eventicon 2021 - The Comeback promising an exciting two days for the event industry, and the speakers delivered the same in spades.  Karen Loftus, Adventuress in Chief of Women's Adventure Travels was the emcee for the event and engaged speakers and audiences with panache and style.    

The event saw speakers sharing several success stories and best practices, which drew an enthusiastic participation from attendees via the chat function on the virtual and integrated event platform, Fireworks™ by Eventcombo.   

Saroosh & Karen kicked it off in style! 

Have a look at the highlights we’ve lined up for you.   

Day One 

Kaneisha Williams | Founder, Black In Events Network

Session: Creating Sustainable Brands in a Socially Charged World : The Ethical Obligation to Employees Due to Virtual Technology 

Key Takeaways: 

• Importance of one’s obligation to employees in a virtual world 
• Importance of including DEI in a company’s sustainability plan 
• The impact of 2020 on barriers with employees and how to overcome them 
• Obtaining positive wins for everyone in the industry 

Briana Snellgrove | CEO, Social Icon

Session: The Future of Digital Events in a Post-COVID World 

Key Takeaways: 

• Elevation of events through a “Phygital” model 
• Creating a space for physical audience to connect with digital audiences 
• How to turn attendees into a community  
• Offering an audience with the best viewing/listening options with an amazing creative display of tech capabilities 
• Communicating and navigating a leveled playing field for the ultimate collaboration 

Samiran Ghosh | Forbes Tech Counsil Member, Senior Research Fellow 

Session: How Emerging Tech Can Play a Role in the Comeback of the Event Industry and How Such Trends Can Sustain Growth in the Future  

Key Takeaways: 

• The role of emerging tech in the comeback of the event industry 
• Sustaining future growth of the event industry with new tech 
• Examples of emerging tech  
• Sustainability models for the future 

Shannon Sprau | Chief Event Officer, Meridian 360

Session: Customer Engagement or Lack Thereof in Virtual Events and How to Improve 

Key Takeaways: 

• Pros and cons of virtual engagement from an attendee’s, speaker’s and exhibitor’s POV 
• Application of innovative ideas learned during the pandemic to future events 
• Live demo of an engaging and interactive presentation prompting user input via QR codes 

Todd Embley and Luke Tobin | Fireside Chat: Secret to Successful Startups- Moderated by Karen Loftus 

Fireside Chat: Secret to Successful Startups - Moderated by Karen Loftus 

Key Takeaways: 

• The role of tech in startups 
• Tech’s assistance in starting a company and marketing 
• Future of startups in event tech space 
• Philosophical best practices of being an entrepreneur 
• The difference between "problem solving" and "solution selling" mindsets 
• How "Failing Fast" can speed up winning 
• Founder vs. Investor = Infinite vs. Finite horizons  
• The importance of being customer obsessed and running to revenue 

Tim Hughes | Co-founder & CEO, DLA Ignite 

Session: Social Selling for Events 

Key Takeaways: 

• Evolving trends of sales and marketing world according to research 
• Social media strategies to generate more sales 
• 3 key prospects for social media 

Ella Glasgow | CEO & Executive Producer, Beyond Virtual Events 

Session: Adding Disney Effects to Your Virtual Events 

Key Takeaways: 

• Create impactful virtual events so one can wow a community, increase connections and commitment 
• What Disney teaches one about events 
• A Disney theme for your virtual event is a winner 

Ethan Berg | Founder & CEO, Agora World Inc 

Session: Web 3.0 The Future of the Spatial Web 

Key Takeaways: 

• Immersive VR experiences for audiences 
• Improving social interaction in an intuitive and engaging way 
• Live virtual events for museums, historical tours, workshops, online shopping and more 

Megan Inhen | Mezzo-Soprano & Creative Placemaking Specialist 

Session: The Virtual Concert Hall 

Key Takeaways: 

• The responses of classical music non-profits to the shuttering of venues in US 
• Key learnings from the intense exploration of virtual performances 
• Applications of virtual events for musical non-profits 
• Creative placemaking strategies for companies 

Day Two