We know that navigating the virtual conference world can be tricky – that’s why we’ve prepared this roadmap to help you maximise the benefits of your virtual sponsorship or exhibition.

As a sponsor of the ASSA 2021 Virtual Convention, you’re an important part of the success of the Convention and we’re grateful for your support. This roadmap is a reminder that in the virtual conference world, we all need to work a little differently, but it’s not hard to do and the team is here to support you.

For the ASSA 2021 Virtual Convention we’re using a platform called Socio. We used the Socio platform for the ASSA 2020 Virtual Convention with great success and the platform has grown and improved over the last year, expanding to offer many more exciting features. We think it’s a great platform for a virtual conference because it can be used on a mobile device AND/OR on your laptop in a browser. We say “AND/OR” because it’s actually great to use both in unison – networking on mobile and attending sessions on the web app. Bear in mind that the platform is backed up by a (large) tech and organising team – it takes a surprising amount of hardware and real people to put on a successful virtual conference – and the help desk is always available to assist.

Remember you’re still getting all the traditional website and communications benefits of sponsorship – you’re listed on the Convention website and depending on your package you might be highlighted in a newsletter. ASSA social media will also be promoting your sponsorship.

Most important to remember as a sponsor or exhibitor in the virtual world is that you need to make an extra effort to engage and interact with attendees. Unfortunately, they won’t be strolling past your booth in the tea breaks, but you can find many channels for engagement across the virtual platform: The Wall (like a social media feed), in Video Rooms (small group conversations, sponsored or based on a topic), in the Q&A during sessions, in the Chat within your Virtual Sponsor or Exhibitor Profile, and directly by making connections via the Attendees list. We suggest enlisting a few members of your team to make the most of the opportunities to interact.

Read on for detailed information on maximising your participation as a sponsor or exhibitor, and thanks again for your support!

 • Available to Platinum, Gold, and Silver Sponsors.
• Located beneath Table of Contents on Web and at bottom of page on Mobile.
• Part of a scrolling banner which is always visible.

•  Available to Platinum and Gold Sponsors.
• Send an announcement to attendees, indicated with a notification for all.
• Located in the Announcements feature on Web and Mobile and as a push notification on Mobile.
• Mobile users will receive a push notification and Web users will see a red indicator on the Announcements feature to let them know there’s a new message.
• The announcement is clickable and can be linked to your Virtual Sponsor/Exhibitor Profile to increase traffic.

Be sure to get involved in the interaction on the Convention social media feed, known as The Wall. Here you can interact with attendees, encourage visits to your Virtual Sponsor/Exhibitor Profile  , or visit you during the lunch break at your dedicated area in the NETWORKING LOUNGE, post pics, and like and comment on others’ posts.

You and your team are welcome to promote your sponsorship here, interacting in your personal capacity with other attendees.
•Available to all sponsors and exhibitors.
•Chat and post pics or messages, enticing attendees to visit your Virtual Sponsor/Exhibitor Profile.
•Encourage participation in your Sponsored Session or Video Room.
•Share raffles or prizes and encourage attendee engagement.

The listing of all Virtual Sponsor and Exhibitor Profiles is called the Grid View and it’s your chance to grab attention with a really great cover image.
This is the image the attendee sees before clicking on your Virtual Profile to learn more about you.

What does the attendee see inside your Virtual Sponsor or Exhibitor Profile once they’ve clicked through?
• Company description: There is no limit to the quantity of words used in your profile.
• Digital brochures or PDFs: These appear as an attachment in your profile, and the is no limit to the quantity or size of the attachments.
• Videos you would displayed in your profile: There is no limit to the quantity or size of your videos, as long as you send the video as a web link.
• Links to websites, and social media channels.
• Call to Action buttons such as “Request Follow Up” and “Schedule Meeting” which encourage attendees to seek personal interaction with you.
• Direct chat function.
• Featured Media: a high visibility area where you can showcase a video, website, or PDF (available to Large Sponsor/Exhibitor Profiles).

The Video Room is where you can host discussions with up to 13 participants at a time or screen a scheduled presentation. They are scheduled to happen during the breaks of the Conference, the sponsor gets to select the time they would like their Video Rooms open.
• Platinum Sponsors receive 3 dedicated Video Rooms during the Conference.
• Gold Sponsors receive 2 dedicated Video Rooms during the Conference.
• Silver Sponsors receive 1 dedicated Video Room during the Conference.

• Session sponsors are acknowledged digitally in the agenda and live in the session.
• Acknowledgement in the agenda as “brought to you by”.
• A 30-second advert or introduction (live or pre-recorded) at the start of the session.
• Acknowledged by the Programme Host with a “brought to you by” line on screen during the session.
• Your Virtual Sponsor Profile links to your sponsored session.

You can now see exactly what the attendee is looking for when visiting your Profile
• An overview of how many clicks you received.
• An Excel report with the details of each attendee who clicked your Virtual Profile including: First Name, Last Name, Email, Title, Company, Date, Time Clicked, Platform Used: Web vs Mobile.

If you have any further queries, please email info@actuarialsocietyconvention.org.za