Sloan-C offers virtual events related to our conferences as well as webinars each month.
Early next year, 2011, we'll be producing our first entirely virtual conference.
 

It really depends on the event. We do not use propriatry technologies for any of our events.
Streaming video is usually accommodated within a browser using either Flash or SilverLight.
We have used and will be using Second Life, Elluminate, and other standard web-based
technologies.

Mostly we use Elluminate, Second Life, Sonic Foundry's MediaSite, Skype, Moodle, and other
standard web-based e-learning technologies.

The cost varies from event to event. Webinars can be as low as $15 for institutional members to $99.00 for members. Larger events can approach $200.00.

For our Emerging Technology Symposium we've had as many as 56 live streamed sessions.

There seems to be some confusion about this. Yes it's just one seat. If you buy one movie
ticket, can you typically bring the whole family in...with that one ticket?

That's a good question. We also believe this space is evolving and our answer today could be different a year from now. There are a few key factors that make an event “virtual.” First, it must be available to a geographically disperse group. That is typically achieved through technology and not loud speakers! The audience must have a way to communicate with each other to discuss, preferably real-time, the presentations. The audience must have a method to  communicate comments and questions to the presenter.

Actually, for Sloan-C, it's both!

Oftentimes, yes, there are discounts. We also like to bundle the cost of virtual events with memberships...watch for those, they're a great deal!

Typically yes. We generally state that the streamed sessions will be available to folks for up to one year.

Yes. We strongly encourage this activity and feel it is an essential component of a virtual
event.

There is always a person designated to assist the virtual participants during an event.

This is evolving too. Some presentations are simply chosen to be virtual, some have been by request, however, we will be including a call for presentations for upcoming virtual events.

Please let us know. If your paper was accepted by a conference committee, perhaps we can accommodate your request by including your presentation as part of our virtual event.

You will be notified upon registration how to gain access to the various virtual components.
 

The computer requirements are typically not anything more than general web-based
technologies. Second Life does have some graphic-intensive requirements and you should
really research this before registering for an event.

The virtual presentations will be clearly identified one our event websites.

Absolutely, either by voice or chat.

Yes. All events are scheduled whether they are part of an on-ground event or exclusively virtual

Yes. We typically identify a Twitter tag to use, as well as other social networking activities. We also like to encourage people to provide us feedback and encourage “ground-swell” sorts of activities...this is how we learn and can evolve our activities in this space!

Great question. Even though, at times, our virtual events are tied to an on-ground event, there are costs associated with producing. Each session is streamed, registrations need to be collected and managed, the program is produced...and so on. Some of our events and webinars are “free” to members and while we'd love to provide all events for free, I'm afraid after a few of those, I would not be here standing talking to you!