Research & Insights
Elevate Your SLC2025 Experience with a Virtual Watch Party
The Simmons Leadership Conference will once again be offered in a hybrid format this year, allowing attendees to join us in-person or virtually. Since we introduced this dual format two years ago, we’ve seen a steady increase in the number of teams participating online. Virtual watch parties, in particular, have become a popular choice for organizations, bringing teams together from all over the world to engage from the comfort of their own locations.
Hosting a virtual watch party is more than just viewing the event together. It’s about creating a community experience that extends beyond the screen, where teams can discuss ideas and forge meaningful connections.
What is a Virtual Watch Party?
A watch party or virtual screening event is an organized session where a group of people – either colleagues, agencies and clients, or even friends – come together virtually to view the live streamed event on March 20.
This type of gathering enables you to create a shared space for impactful discussions, fostering connections, sharing diverse perspectives, and building community.
Benefits of Virtual Watch Parties
Hosting a watch party for the Simmons Leadership Conference goes beyond just “watching” conference content. Here are some additional benefits:
Shared Experience
Watching together creates a shared experience, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie among team members. Teams can customize their watch party experience based on their specific needs, preferences, and goals.
Common Ground
Discussing conference sessions provides a shared context, making it easier for team members to relate to each other. Incorporating team-building activities or icebreakers during breaks enhances the overall watch party experience.
Discussion Opportunities
A watch party provides a platform for team members to discuss insights, share perspectives, and collectively digest the information presented at SLC. Virtual watch parties encourage active participation and engagement, preventing the feeling of isolation that can occur during remote conferences.
Cross-Functional Learning
Team members from different departments – across different locations or time zones – can share their unique perspectives, leading to cross-functional learning and collaboration. Teams can leverage interactive features of virtual platforms to enhance engagement, such as live chats, polls, and Q&A sessions.
Economical Alternative
Hosting a virtual watch party is a cost-effective alternative to sending team members to SLC in-person, saving on travel and accommodation expenses.
4+1 Special Savings
Save 20% when you build an online group. For every group of 4 you register, earn an additional online ticket absolutely free.
Internal Networking
Team members can network within the organization, fostering connections that might not happen organically in a remote work environment.
Team Bonding
The informal setting of a watch party facilitates casual networking, strengthening relationships among team members.
Collective Inspiration
Experiencing SLC collectively can amplify the motivational impact, inspiring team members to implement new ideas and strategies.
Shared Goals
The shared experience of learning from industry leaders and experts can create a collective sense of purpose and motivation.
By leveraging these advantages, teams can transform a virtual watch party into a valuable opportunity for team development, collaboration, and professional growth.
CASE STUDY
Beacon Hill Staffing Transformed Leadership Development with Virtual Watch Parties
Beacon Hill Staffing (BHS) has successfully engaged leaders across its nine U.S. offices by hosting virtual watch parties of the Simmons Leadership Conference since 2020. What began as a small initiative has grown into a highly anticipated leadership development strategy, with senior leadership supporting and promoting the events. These watch parties allow BHS leaders to experience the conference content in real-time, followed by follow-up calls to discuss key takeaways. This shared learning experience has fostered alignment, increased focus on emotional intelligence, and strengthened BHS’s leadership culture.
Don’t have a team?
No problem! Virtual watch parties aren’t exclusive to teams. Individuals can also organize and participate, connecting with like-minded individuals, sharing insights, and being part of a larger SLC community.
7 Strategies for Hosting a Conference Virtual Watch Party
Here are some strategies your team can use to make your watch party for SLC successful and memorable:
Set Clear Goals: Clarify your watch party’s goals: networking, discussions, or both.
Assign Roles: Designate roles for hosting, moderating discussions, and managing technical aspects.
Session Highlights: Identify key sessions or speakers to focus on during the watch party.
Discussion Breaks: Schedule breaks between sessions for team discussions and reflections.
Live Chat: Utilize the chat feature for real-time reactions, questions, and team interactions.
Engagement Activities: Integrate polls, quizzes, or challenges related to conference content.
Hashtags: Create a unique hashtag and encourage attendees to share it on social media.
Live Tweeting: Foster engagement by live-tweeting key insights, quotes, and reactions.
Virtual Networking Hour: Host a post-conference networking session for personal connections.
Discussion Forums: Create online forums for post-conference discussions.
Test in Advance: Conduct a tech run-through to ensure platform familiarity.
Provide Support: Have a dedicated support team to assist with technical issues during the watch party.
Post-Event Survey: Gather attendee feedback on strengths and improvement areas.
Reflection Session: Hold a brief team debrief to discuss key takeaways.
By combining these strategies, teams can create an immersive and engaging virtual watch party experience for SLC, fostering connection and collaboration among participants of our global women’s leadership conference.
Elevate Your Team: Register for SLC2025
Imagine the power of collective learning and the buzz of connecting with like-minded professionals—all made possible through virtual watch parties. The Simmons Leadership Conference is poised to inspire and empower, and by bringing a personal touch with a virtual gathering, you enhance that potential manifold.
Register today and start planning your own virtual watch party for SLC. Because when we watch together, we grow together.
SLC2025. The place to go if you're going places.
Buy 4 virtual passes and receive one for free.
Social
Kristen Palson
Related Posts
Announcing the #SLC2025 Speaker Line-up: Meet the Trailblazers Leading Change
