Experiment #1 - Mixed Reality: Let's Meet in VR!

We focused on some of the current challenges the events industry is facing. How can I ensure effective learning, how can I support effective engagement and networking and, ultimately, how can I guarantee equity of experience between my virtual and live delegates? These are all good questions, because an international congress aims to provide ongoing education and knowledge transfer. It also serves as the crux of networking and community building, and hopefully it sends its delegates away with a healthy dose of inspiration needed to propel them forward professionally.

Experiment #1 tested the use of Mixed Reality as an enabling technology. We learned about it, we experienced it and we  discussed the effectiveness of the technology to meet the needs of the international events industry. Via showcases of Virtual and Augmented Reality used in unexpected ways, we offered some inspiration to set the stage for the real-time experiment. Together, we measured how successful this technology is in meeting the needs of the events industry, and via an expert panel discussion we drew conclusions based on these measurements.

Our experts provided a multidisciplinary perspective on the impact of virtual events and weighed in on their use of enabling technologies.

Our own Rotterdam Partners Convention Bureau established that the world is in the midst of a rapid transition which crosses cultures, industries and localities, and asked us to consider what the future of the events industry looks like, and if  event stakeholders actively influence the shape of that future?

We heard from a cultural icon of our city, the International Film Festival Rotterdam. An entity about to celebrate 50 years, it has been a front-runner of innovation, and yet the crisis has propelled them to an even higher level of creative thinking in which Augmented Reality has played a role. We spoke to a veteran of the association world, the International Pharmaceutical Federation – FIP, holding up a mirror to the challenges faced in moving to virtual, the ability to achieve their mission and goals, and what they anticipate for future events, based on their learnings. Finally, from our own Erasmus University Rotterdam – RISBO, we heard from a frontrunner in online didactics, establishing the academic perspective of how and why enabling technologies are most effective, and if that drive toward knowledge sharing and networking can be supported well enough using Virtual Reality.

Before the event, we wondered: will the results of the 1st Rotterdam Experiment prove that enabling technologies make the difference? And if they do, is this a reason to stick to virtual events? Or does the need for societal cohesion mean that, largely, we still need to meet in person? And if that is the case, is VR a way to help your virtual delegates maximize their experience while also making their mindful choices about whether to attend online, or in real life? Are we ready to move from “smart” to “human” to “nature”?

Check this page soon again for answers to these questions and more learnings.

Coming from the interaction of technology, strategy, innovation, organization and digitization and focusing on technological, organizational and personal transformation/innovation, Yuri has helped hundreds of thousands of people globally to embrace exponential thinking and doing since 2008. In 2017, Yuri has been recognized by Thinkers 50 as one of the top 50 best emerging management book authors in the world.

As co-author of the highly acclaimed bestselling business book “Exponential Organizations”, Yuri impacted Prime Ministers, board rooms, creatives and change agents around the world at corporates, agencies, startups, governments, communities and purpose driven organizations. How? Via keynotes, workshops, training, digital transformation programs and executive coaching across the world.

Yuri is the initiator and founder of Singularity University the Netherlands, the first spinout in the world outside Silicon Valley. This spinout was opened by the Queen of Holland – Maxima. His work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, CNBC, New York Times, Techcrunch, Forbes, Bloomberg and Fortune. Yuri earned a Master of Marketing, Business & Strategy (Rotterdam School of Business).

Freek Teunen developed the Virtual Dream Flight for Efteling. With VR he made one of the most popular attractions also accessible to visitors with a disability. Now he is involved in PlaygroundVR, a virtual playground for children in the hospital. The project has been nominated several times for innovation awards and made it to the final of the Philips Innovation Award 2020. Several hospitals are already using the playground. Freek also works as a VR consultant, gives master classes and inspires as a speaker.

Photo: Nina van den Broek

With more than 20 years of experience in different areas in the events industry Mirjam is a versatile adviser to many different target audiences within the industry. The last 6 years she has dedicated her time to Rotterdam Partners Convention Bureau, focusing on the acquisition of events and congresses in the field of Maritime, Energy, Logistics, Mobility, Sustainability & Resilience.

Carola van der Hoeff is currently holding the position of Chief Operating Officer and Congress Director at International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), which is the global federation gathering 146 national associations of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists. Carola van der Hoeff is responsible for overseeing the organization’s daily operations and enhancing internal processes to help the non-profit grow and fulfil its mission. Carola van der Hoeff has graduated from the Higher School of Economics in Amsterdam, the Netherlands majoring in International Business. Before joining FIP, she had been working for over 16 years as a Professional Congress Organizer.

Marjan van der Haar is managing director of International Film Festival Rotterdam. During her studies in Theatre Science (Film/TV and Cultural Management) she worked at the Holland Film Meeting (the international film professional market of the Film Festival Utrecht. She started her professional career as programme coordinator for International Film Festival Rotterdam. She was managing director  at Fortissimo Films, international sales agent of art-house films, for almost 15 years. In 2010 she was appointed managing director of Film Producers Netherlands, the association of Dutch Film producers. In October 2018 she joined the International Film Festival Rotterdam as Managing Director.

Photo: Marwan Magroun

Kris Stabel works as a Senior Educationalist and Head of Educational Advice and Training at Risbo (Erasmus University Rotterdam). As Online / Blended learning expert he is also the theme leader for Educational Innovation at the Community for Learning and Innovation at Erasmus University. He advises and supports teachers and faculties in the transition from traditional “teacher-centred” education to activating, flexible, “student-centred” online / blended education.