How to conduct virtual events in the coronavirus era

The COVID-19 pandemic is quelling participation in—and in some cases prompting cancellation of—live gatherings. Technology can help, whether you’re brainstorming or debuting a product.

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Ragan Insider Content

Companies are cancelling conferences and business travel plans due to concerns over coronavirus, now officially named COVID-19.

Facebook cancelled its F8 conference, its biggest event of the year. Marketers and developers eagerly look forward to the annual conference in hopes of obtaining insights into Facebook’s plans.

Other conference cancellations include: SXSW, Facebook’s Global Marketing Summit, Google’s I/O Developer event, and the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the world’s largest mobile phone conference. Other conferences have been postponed or will be held online only.

The canceled conference list will probably expand. Some companies are deciding not to send employees to conferences, a move that could prompt organizers to cancel or postpone events. Twitter, Facebook and Vevo, the music-streaming video company, announced they will not send employees to SXSW, the tech, music and film festival this month in Austin, Texas.

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