The virtual event trend isn't just taking off in the States. Case in point: Modern Day Wife, a lifestyle and event brand based out of Vancouver that aims to empower women at each stage of their life, from the start of their career path to parenthood and beyond. For its first-ever virtual event, MDW set out to host not one, not two, but three virtual gatherings in its series titled "Think Outside the Box."
The three-part event series kicked off in September—which featured speakers like fashion designer Rebecca Minkoff and HGTV personality Sangita Patel—and moved on to its second digital shindig, dubbed Raise the Bar, Level Up Your Lifestyle—this week on Oct. 27 via online event platform Hopin.
“The inspiration behind this event was to help all women who feel overwhelmed, who don't know where to start, or who don't have a clear plan on certain aspects of their lives or on topics they want to learn about,” said Modern Day Wife co-founder Meagan Ayres. “We know how busy life can be and we wanted to provide our audience with tangible tools.”
The online occasion kicked off at 5:30 p.m. PT with a pre-event show, which included a livestreamed music set by DJ Complex Lex—a Los Angeles-based female DJ, naturally—and an interactive mixology session where guests learned to make black cherry spritzers. With good vibes set and drinks in hand, the event's 200 virtual guests from cities like Vancouver, Los Angeles, and New York said (well, commented) “Cheers!” as the main event began. 
The event's hosts, speakers, and guests had fun with the virtual photo booth by Oh Snap! Booth Co.Photo: Courtesy of A Modern Wife
The evening boasted a schedule filled to the brim with talks from female entrepreneurs such as Legacy By Kim founder Kim Fitzpatrick, marketing maven Olivia-Diane Joseph, and producer Jenni Pulos, who talked all things manifestation, mindsets, and what it’s like being a CFO (chief family officer). Financial segments led by business strategist Danelle Delgado, comedian Nicole Arbour, and organization guru Jane Stoller highlighted being an influencer both on and off social media, monetizing your digital content, and managing finances. To wrap things up, hairstylist Tiffany Minyon and fitness coach Pearl Cici concluded the evening with engaging beauty and wellness tutorials. Plus, a virtual photo booth complete with branded stickers by California's Oh Snap! Booth Co. provided attendees a fun takeaway.
Talks and tutorials took place in 20-minute segments purposefully to hold attendees' attention throughout. The MDW team set out to secure “catchy speakers to provide how-to segments that were quick, yet powerful and pithy so that you can absorb as much information in the shortest amount of time,” explained co-founder Meghan Fialkoff. The Modern Day Wife duo (playfully nicknamed “The Megs”) agreed that their audience is a busy one. “They are into their careers; they may have families; and they are juggling a lot,” Ayres said. “We are giving them the information the way we would want it: by getting to the point and just telling us what we need to know.”
To budding, beginner-level event planners looking to host a virtual event, the pair advises: “Take classes online or watch virtual seminars to see what you like and don’t like." Looking back, the Megs noted they would have prepared extra tips or information about upcoming events to share during a technical glitch. “Things can be so unpredictable with virtual events that you have to be ready for whatever may happen.”
MDW co-founder Meghan Fialkoff (right) and Ashley Torres, founder of Everyday Pursuits, discussed balancing a business while being a new mom in a segment titled "How To Wear a Leadership Role in All Areas of Your Life."Photo: Courtesy of Modern Day Wife
