Virtual conferences and events will be new to many, so plan to practice even more than you would for a place-based conference. Ideally be in the same room, using the same technology (camera 

 

You’ll need to provide technology training for speakers to make sure they’re ready. If speakers will be delivering live, do a rehearsal that mimics the live event as much as possible (same computers, same Internet connections, even the same time of day) about a week before the event. Make sure staff are fully briefed on how to deal with customer service issues, monitor Q&A, facilitate sessions, and so on.