New year, new features. Introducing Video Chat and Universal Search

Introducing you to video chat and universal search function - brand new features to our software.

Video chat works with Group and Private chat, so as well as messaging, attendees can now connect with each other in the same way as Zoom, but within the conference itself. No invitations are needed, or sharing of links. Just simply click the video icon, and connect with colleagues instantly. Video chat works effortlessly across mobile and web, so you can engage in-person and at-home attendees on the same platform, if you’re hosting a hybrid conference. Take a look at the feature in action here.

So - how can our networking feature optimise connections before, during and after the conference?

What to do before the event

As soon as the program is created, you can make your virtual conference live, which means your attendees can start connecting. This can be days, weeks, or months before the conference - and all content can be hidden until the start date. Admins can set up groups in advance, if required - for pre-event queries, or a job board, for example. Attendees can register using the integrated delegate registration tool, log in and create their profile and name badge, and list their social media profiles and contact channels, along with academic interests.

They can then begin interacting with fellow attendees, reach out to new partners and reconnect with established collaborators. Attendees can create private and public groups based on whatever criteria they choose - academic interests, roles, affiliations - and begin networking - face-to-face with video chat, or through messaging.

What to do during the event

So, the conference is now live and pre-conference connections have created a buzz in anticipation of all the interactivity and dynamic content in your conference. Attendees can continue to create new groups, and share content and sessions easily and quickly through the chat tool, creating opportunities for promotion and engagement.

The brand new Universal Search feature comes into play here. As well as page search, we've now launched a quick and easy way to find content from across the entire conference, which means it's easier than ever for attendees to find, discover and share abstracts, videos and posters, which can spark discussions and drive collaborations.

New attendees can browse the list of groups, join existing public groups or create their own. Admins can share updates through the event wide chat. Attendees can connect 1-1 through video or via messaging -  to discuss content or create engaging post-session breakout groups. The topic, access, number and selection of participants is totally up to the creator and admins can moderate, if they wish.

The comments feature also allows attendees to join in the discussion in the program, either on sessions or the content within - whether live, or on-demand video, or posters and abstracts.

What to do after the event

You can keep your conference online for as long as you want, after the event. Simply switch off the time and date display to make your conference asynchronous. Attendees can set their notification preferences, to engage with new activity if they wish, then simply log in at their convenience to continue the conversations, and reconnect with colleagues and collaborators. You can choose to moderate, if you wish, or just leave your attendees to post-event engagement and the development of their newly discovered collaborations.

Oxford Abstracts networking tools are powerful, highly flexible and really simple to use, and will enable you to create an exceptional academic conference, and a highly engaged audience.

Take a look for yourself and book a demo to find out more.