Virtual Road Rally Hotel Lobby
Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 4:04 pm
Watching the last TAXI TV, it sure seems like this year's Rally is going to be a virtual event. It sounds like Michael is getting a handle on shifting most of the ballroom panels and presentations to online. If you've ever attended a Rally, you'll likely agree with me that what goes on in the ballroom and classrooms can be very valuable, but one of the best parts of the Rally is hanging out in the lobby connecting with people.
I'd love to hear thoughts on this, especially those who've been there before. How can we replicate some of the feel and experience of the Road Rally hotel lobby and bar virtually? A way for small groups to gather, catch up, meet new people, and connect.
Can we organize small groups to meet in Zoom, Facebook Rooms, or Google Hangouts? Is one of those better than the others? Is there something else even better?
One note, in my opinion, just like in real life, if a group gets too big with too many people talking at the same time, it becomes difficult to hear, and participate. Six in a group max seems like a good number. I might be wrong though.
Would we need assigned hosts? Do any of those platforms allow limiting the number of people in a room?
Can we set up a trial run or two with a small test group before the Rally?
How I envision it is a few people gather in a virtual room, others can join until it gets to 6. When someone leaves, it opens a slot for someone new to join. Ideally there is no host, or the host transfers automatically. If there was a way for our large group to see who is in these smaller groups, that'd be awesome. Then you could see who is in the small groups and pop in and out, kind of like you would do in real life.
From experience these last few months, here are a few tips that can help make the experience better for all involved.
Audio
- headphones or ear buds recommended
- dedicated mic recommended
- reduce background noise - TV, kids, wind, pets
Video
- Lighting helps
- Clean backgrounds are less distracting
- Blur or use virtual background
One more thing... even if there is more than one person physically in the same space and able to share a screen, I find it better for each person to be on their own device. The tech works better, and it levels the experience for everyone.
Thoughts? Can this be done? Dumb idea?
PS If this could work, I'd love to see us roll it into more frequent virtual meetups during the year. Once a month, once a quarter... something like that. idk
I'd love to hear thoughts on this, especially those who've been there before. How can we replicate some of the feel and experience of the Road Rally hotel lobby and bar virtually? A way for small groups to gather, catch up, meet new people, and connect.
Can we organize small groups to meet in Zoom, Facebook Rooms, or Google Hangouts? Is one of those better than the others? Is there something else even better?
One note, in my opinion, just like in real life, if a group gets too big with too many people talking at the same time, it becomes difficult to hear, and participate. Six in a group max seems like a good number. I might be wrong though.
Would we need assigned hosts? Do any of those platforms allow limiting the number of people in a room?
Can we set up a trial run or two with a small test group before the Rally?
How I envision it is a few people gather in a virtual room, others can join until it gets to 6. When someone leaves, it opens a slot for someone new to join. Ideally there is no host, or the host transfers automatically. If there was a way for our large group to see who is in these smaller groups, that'd be awesome. Then you could see who is in the small groups and pop in and out, kind of like you would do in real life.
From experience these last few months, here are a few tips that can help make the experience better for all involved.
Audio
- headphones or ear buds recommended
- dedicated mic recommended
- reduce background noise - TV, kids, wind, pets
Video
- Lighting helps
- Clean backgrounds are less distracting
- Blur or use virtual background
One more thing... even if there is more than one person physically in the same space and able to share a screen, I find it better for each person to be on their own device. The tech works better, and it levels the experience for everyone.
Thoughts? Can this be done? Dumb idea?
PS If this could work, I'd love to see us roll it into more frequent virtual meetups during the year. Once a month, once a quarter... something like that. idk