BizBash's newest column offers a monthly check-in on all things event tech, from new virtual platforms to social distancing-focused tools to software that will make your job easier. Got a tip? Get in touch!
In Case You Missed It
In the last month, BizBash has covered a number of innovative virtual events, from the massive Collision tech convention to Honda's tour franchise to virtual benefits, happy hours and even cruises. We also continued diving into the future of hybrid, exploring 15 new venues for hybrid events throughout North America and learning how event producers plan to fuse virtual and in-person elements at their own gatherings.
Q&A: Get the Scoop on Virtual Event Platform Second Stage
Second Stage is a virtual and hybrid event platform made for conferences, expos and events. The platform offers fully produced livestreams, networking tools and engaging experiences for audiences of any size. We caught up with Charles Eide, the platform’s founder, who is also the CEO of event production company EideCom, to get the scoop.
Screenshot: Courtesy of Second Stage
Why did you decide to develop Second Stage, and what gap do you think the platform fills in the event industry?
Second Stage really began because we realized there was a gap in the market for a simple yet powerful event platform. You don’t need avatars and gamification; you just need quality content in a platform that makes sense. This platform is also guided by customer service and humans! When you want to build an event, you’ll work with a group of dedicated people who will be on call for you—which is a completely different experience than if you were to work with other software companies.
Do you have a favorite feature of the platform?
You know, the really exciting part about Second Stage is that it is growing exponentially and truly expands and adapts to the unique needs of our partners. We are constantly updating the features of the platform. One of our clients wanted a simple way to send a message to all attendees, so we developed push notifications that pop at the top of the screen. For another client, we ensured that the video player will follow you wherever you are in the platform, so if you want to engage and explore, you won’t miss any of the content. And most recently, we launched our polling feature! This allows attendees a unique way to talk to each other and the content.
You call this "a platform made by event professionals for event professionals." How do you think your team's background helps set the platform apart?
I’ve worked in event production for 20 years, and Kelsey, our product owner, has worked in events and project management for years before joining the Second Stage team. And that’s just the surface—we know what people need, we’ve been on the other side of the event when something goes wrong or something isn’t working, and we wanted to fix that. We are event planners and producers at our core, and what’s at the center of an event platform? Creating a meaningful experience—and we’ve been doing that with our events for decades now. We know the ins and outs better than a typical software company ever could. We are event people, and we know what it takes to build something great.
As pandemic-related restrictions begin lifting, what role do you see virtual and hybrid event platforms like Second Stage playing in the future?
Well, regulations are lifting at different paces everywhere. And there are a variety of comfort levels regarding returning to fully live. As regulations lift, we know one thing for sure: Virtual and hybrid events are here to stay because they allow us to access an entirely new audience that wasn’t available before—and you just can’t turn that away. Event platforms provide engaging ways for both of your audiences to connect, and that will always be necessary and important.
More Event Technology We're Excited About This Month
To communicate your safety protocols to in-person attendees
PRA has partnered with health and screening platform SafeAccess to help event organizers easily create, maintain and communicate health and safety procedures. Event planners can use the system to download secure data reports on federal and local requirements, ensure all HIPAA privacy laws are being followed, deploy on-site COVID-19 tests and contact tracing solutions, set up walk-in bio-scanners to detect temperature and more. 
“During the last 14 months, PRA produced and delivered in-person, hybrid and digital engagements, deploying strict health protocols and measures to ensure clients and attendees could meet safely during the global pandemic,” said Danielle Cirami-Gillis, PRA’s vice president of strategic partnership in a press release. “And, while our teams follow our internal procedures, with the state-of-the-art services SafeAccess offers, we can confidently offer a one-stop shop with advanced technology solutions.”Photo: Courtesy of SafeAccess
To host a virtual breakout session
Digital engagement company ON24 has added breakout rooms to its virtual platform, the On24 Digital Experience Platform. The new offering allows for one-on-one discussions, group meetings and peer-to-peer networking; the fully brandable spaces can also capture engagement data such as who joined and how long they engaged. Audiences can easily move between breakout rooms and interact with speakers and experts through live Q&As.
To screen live event attendees
To help event organizers stop COVID outbreaks before they happen, ReturnSafe, a holistic software solution for infectious disease management, has launched Safe Events. The product offers tools to prescreen guests, as well as venue entrance screening, contact-logging wearables and post-event safety measures. Its first partner, EDM promoter V2 Presents, plans to use the technology for a live music event over Memorial Day weekend.
To connect fans with their favorite celebrities and brands
Looped is a virtual venue that provides interactive livestreaming, production and ticketing solutions along with live, one-on-one virtual meet and greets and other digital fan experiences. In April, the platform powered the Film Independent Spirit Awards; the company also hosted the Gotham Awards in January and iHeartRadio Jingle Ball in December, as well as gatherings for the likes of T-Mobile, Bose and Dr. Pepper. Additional offerings include global chat features, co-viewing suites, merchandising, live polling and more.
For safe, secure voting at meetings
DirectVoteLive, a new tech solution from Survey & Ballot Systems, offers secure, real-time online voting for meeting attendees. Ideal for associations, unions, cooperatives and other groups that require official voting capabilities, the software works across all devices and offers personalized dashboards that allow for roll call, display meeting minutes or agendas and more. The password-protected spaces can only be accessed by participants and hosts and can accommodate groups as large as several thousand.
