AIM Group transforms scientific congress into a virtual interactive first for Italy

AIOP on Air, which is scheduled to take place 30 April to 2 May, is set to transform a congress for the Italian Academy of Prosthetic Odontology (AIOP) into a fully digital, immersive and realistic scientific event. The virtual congress, organised by the international PCO and association event management specialist AIM Group International, will still offer knowledge exchange, networking and sponsor visibility, even though it will longer be physically taking place in the congress centre in Riccione, Italy, due to Covid-19 restrictions. Working in collaboration and in partnership with AIM Group International, the AIOP worked out a plan to transform its annual congress to a fully online event and claims to be the first Italian scientific society to trial this kind of solution. The scientific content of the congress had already been defined and a good number of participants registered, said AIM Group, so there were good foundations. AIM Group then brought in the technical expertise of Tecnoconference – TC Group to deliver delegate connection to the AIOP On Air platform from PC, Tablet or Smartphone. Tools on the platform will make it possible to interact with speakers and exchange views with other participants through chat rooms and poll systems. The event will take place in a virtual television studio designed with a realistic and immersive layout, with different graphic set-ups according to the type of session. Speakers will be able to present slideshows, videos and participate in virtual question and answer sessions. There will be a live moderated talk show, with debate and engagement with the online audience. The large exhibition area, planned for the conference centre, will be transformed into a complete digital experience, with a structured area dedicated to sponsors. There will be 13 different ways of interaction divided into three categories: Branding, Video Content and Meet the Sponsor. Although face-to-face is preferable still, AIM Group believes the association could attract new audiences who otherwise would not have been able to attend the physical meeting, and attendees can follow all the content rather than being restricted to attend one of the parallel sessions. All the content of the live event will be available on demand for one year. “I am convinced that this innovative event will transform a challenge into an opportunity, opening new horizons even for the future when the emergency is over,” said Carlo Poggio, President of AIOP. “We are delighted that AIOP decided to undertake this innovative path together with us, rescheduling the entire event in a few weeks,” said Rosangela Quieti, Managing Director of the Congress Department, AIM Group International. “Technology allows us to create educational and experiential paths user-friendly, engaging and interactive sessions that can keep attention high and facilitate the knowledge exchange typical of live events.” “We are convinced that despite the social distancing imposed by the health crisis the need for meeting people face-to-face will remain,” added Patrizia Semprebene Buongiorno, Vice-President of AIM Group. “At this time, events can only be online but the digital transformation is part of a wider evolution process that began as a result of a crisis but will last into the future.”