Creative communications group DRPG hosted its thought-leadership event DRPGBIGtalk virtually from 29 September-1 October.
The three-day event took place in a virtual theme park created using browser based WebGl modelling and attracted over 1000 delegates from across the globe.
The event aimed to bring communications professionals together online to see what is possible in the world of virtual events and demonstrate how to futureproof comms strategies in the current climate.
Each interactive ride included content such as information on wellbeing, D&I, technology, CSR and research and insights, gamification, social walls and a virtual reality roller coaster.
The event was streamed from five of DRPG’s studios in Worcestershire and Windsor as well as remote broadcasts using AR, coming in from around the UK, Germany and the USA, DRPGBIGtalk was made up of a mix of live and on-demand sessions.
Speakers included June Sarpong OBE, David Meade, Professor of Happiness Bruce Hood, Lord Digby Jones, Justin King and Ortis Deley from the Gadget Show. The event also included live interactive case studies from clients such as Nationwide, Direct Line and PDSA which provided examples of comms work and allowed viewers to ask questions and interact with the speakers.
Dale Parmenter, CEO, DRPG, said: “We have found over the years that DRPGBIGtalk has tremendous value for our clients and we wanted to provide them with this same value despite the circumstances.
“The type of development and innovation needed to create an experience like this always means excitement mixed with trepidation, challenging moments and big learnings, but the end result has been a truly collaborative effort between our events, digital and comms teams. DRPGBIGtalk was truly successful virtual experience which we hope will set the tone for future virtual events.”
Dagmar Mackett, global development director, DRPG, commented: “By focussing on valuable content delivered in an unique and engaging way, we set out to prove that virtual events are a viable and a preferable alternative to physical ones. Virtual experiences are the future and there is no question that they are here to stay, so let’s get them right.”
Mackett continued: “Without the limitations of a live environment, the geographical restrictions of a live audience or the physical limitations put in place post-Covid, it is fantastic to see how the imagination is given free rein and the how the event world pushes technology further in times like this. We had delegates log in from Hungary, Australia and Germany and panellists joining us from the Netherlands and Russia as well as many other locations; a truly global experience.”
