The simple answer is that all events, from small business meetings to large educational conferences, can be enhanced by video.  A more apt question might be, “What sort of video does my conference need?”

Events taking place outdoors or in large hotel ballrooms with audiences over 200 people typically require I-mag, or “image magnification”.  The audiovisual support team projects a live video feed of your speaker or musicians on screens.   This video feed can then be recorded for post-event release.  Commonly, I-mag is combined with PowerPoint, sometimes one on each screen, so that the audience can see the speaker while he or she is giving a PowerPoint presentation.

PowerPoint isn’t the only thing the A/V team can put on those screens.  Video is the perfect way to demonstrate a new concept or product to the audience.  Where I-mag captures the facial expressions and hand gestures that are a fundamental part of communication, a pre-made demonstration video can show a process in detail… with no chance that the demonstrator will mess up in front of thousands of people.  It’s also a great way to walk new users through a website or program.  Rather than waiting for the program to load and relying on a computer to work in front of an audience, you can create a video before the show that includes a voice over.

Video can even bring your speakers to the conference without the cost of travel.  Online video streaming allows speakers to appear live via the internet.  Important speeches from public figures can also be downlinked via a satellite feed to the event location.

For conferences longer than a day, an opening video each morning presents the day’s topic in a memorable way, promoting greater retention of the day’s material.  A video at the end of each day might summarize the day’s topics, using humor or visual appeal to enhance learning.

Conferences often bring people together who work in the same field but rarely meet.  One way to build a sense of camaraderie among attendees is to make a highlights reel.  A photographer and/or cameraman shoots pictures and footage for an onsite editor to assemble into a closing video for the conference.

Once the conference is over, recorded video from the event can be edited into quick newscasts to promote your next conference .  Video of your speakers can become online learning modules for those who were not able to attend.  This year’s closing video with new music can open next year’s conference.

When you’re planning your next conference, think about the ways video can help you reach your audience and extend the impact of your event.