The 34th Alpbacher Finanzsymposium 2020 was already planned and dry when the pandemic suddenly turned the entire event industry upside down. How could the 34th symposium be saved?

KATHRIN FREITAG AND PHILIPP COTTOGNI: It was always clear to our managing director: the event would take place. If the circumstances don't match our planned process, then we just have to reorient ourselves. So we found out about digital events and took part in some ourselves. It quickly became clear that a live stream wasn't enough for us. The Alpbacher Finanzsymposium thrives on customers and sponsors being able to exchange ideas and network with each other - so we had to come up with something better. That's how we came up with ONevents and together we set up the first hybrid version of the event with the 34th Alpbach Finance Symposium.

Which points were particularly important when switching to a hybrid event?

KATHRIN FREITAG AND PHILIPP COTTOGNI: We wanted a digital platform that was easy to use - everyone should be able to access it without any barriers to entry. Especially at the beginning of the Corona crisis, not everyone was perhaps familiar with digital events. You shouldn't have to struggle with the technology when taking part. We also attached great importance to the appearance; everything should be made from a single mold. The platform had to match our corporate design so that participants felt completely “at home” at our event.

Did everything turn out the way you imagined?

KATHRIN FREITAG AND PHILIPP COTTOGNI (laughing): No! But it's ok like that. The digitalization of the Alpbach Financial Symposium is a constant process, everything is in flux. For example, at the beginning we thought it would be particularly important to network the participants on site and the participants in front of the screens as closely as possible. Then we learned that it doesn't really matter to people. For most people it is enough to simply write a message to arrange a meeting. Instead, other topics have popped up that we have to implement. We are currently working on the 36th symposium and have a lot of things that we would like to develop further.

What are the further developments that are important to you for the next financial symposium? Can you reveal that?

KATHRIN FREITAG AND PHILIPP COTTOGNI: For example, we would like every single workshop and lecture that you have registered for to be automatically entered in the Outlook calendar. A few days before the start of the financial symposium, you have an exact schedule of the event in mind - a very personal schedule, so to speak.

What makes ONevents your perfect partner in mastering these challenges?

KATHRIN FREITAG AND PHILIPP COTTOGNI: They are always there! Whether it's about programming new requests or about the event itself - our contact person at ONevents is always available. At the event, it is a great relief to know that the experts are there. If any technical problems arise with the sponsors, the participants or at a trade fair stand, there is always someone who knows what they are doing. In addition, the ONevents team is constantly developing the Alpbacher Finanzsymposium product with us. We never hear: “That’s not possible!” Instead, we look for the best possible solution for everything. This is how we work hand in hand together.