Are Virtual Conferences the Future of Networking?

While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to sweep across the globe, the title and real estate industry has made significant adjustments to keep business running as usual. Changes to normal operations, like working from home, digital closings, and Remote Online Notarization, have allowed all parties in the home buying process to maintain servicing their clients effectively. While the way we do business has been reassessed, how we network may be harder to replicate as stay at home orders and restricted gatherings continue to be top of mind. Live conferences are transitioning to a virtual style of networking in efforts to still provide attendees with the same valuable experience despite the lack of in-person interaction.   

Live conferences bring industry professionals together and provide a long-awaited break from the typical office day-to-day. Networking with colleagues, educational sessions, and exhibitor/sponsor interaction all offer attendees an opportunity to enhance their industry knowledge and business expertise in a collaborative and enticing environment. Not only do live events bring impactful change to the industry, but the cities that act as hot spots for conferences also rely on the tourism and revenue brought in from these programs each year. While the benefits of in-person events may seem endless, there are several pros to virtual events that could shape the future of industry conferences:  

• Fewer Travel Costs! Without flight or hotel arrangements needed, companies can save money they would have spent on sending their employees to the physical conference. Saving on travel expenses would allow companies to allocate more funds to participate in additional conference functions or sponsorship opportunities.  

• More Colleagues, More Fun! As sessions and networking events will be conducted virtually, there is an increased opportunity for employees to participate that would not normally be able to take significant time away from the office.  
• Increased Session and Exhibitor Engagement! Most live events are limited in what they can offer depending on the location and contracted space of the event. For example, if there is a session room that can only hold 50 people, but 150 attendees are interested in that session, there is potential for individuals to miss out on the live discussion due to lack of physical capacity. In a virtual environment, the capacity for a popular session can be easily increased. A virtual environment also offers more opportunities to connect with exhibitors and sponsors, as there are no time constraints between sessions.   
• Investment in Quality Speakers and Content! While there are still many costs associated with hosting a conference on a virtual platform, the saved expenses on contracted space, food and beverage, and audio-visual offers conference organizers the ability to invest in other areas of the conference they would not normally have had the budget to do so.  

ALTA One, NS3, and PLTA are a few of the many upcoming conferences within the Title Industry that have confirmed the decision to move to a virtual platform. The National Settlement Services Summit, better known as NS3 will be hosting a virtual experience on September 1-3, 2020. This year will be a new experience for attendees as no travel is required. NS3 will deliver the same great informative and educational experience including video calls, messaging, live chat functionality, and more all from the comfort of your home. AccuTitle is excited to be participating in NS3 and the opportunity to network with industry professionals in a new virtual environment. Our Sales experts will be available at the AccuTitle booth to discuss in-depth product offerings in a more one-on-one environment.  

While Alta One is continuing to monitor COVID-19 developments, the ALTA organization is working to create the same education and networking opportunities they always provide. Additionally, they will be hosting webinars regularly. The Pennsylvania Land Title Association will also be holding a virtual conference this year. This year’s PLTA Annual Convention will be held online on October 12-13, 2020. The two-day virtual conference will consist of multiple education sessions as well as exhibitors.   

AccuTitle is no stranger to the virtual environment. As a remote company since its inception, AccuTitle products and services have aided our clients and partners in navigating the switch to remote work and are confident a virtual conference environment could be a successful step for the industry. AccuTitle looks forward to making new and long lasting connections at the upcoming conferences as we work to empower the always-changing industry.