Summary
Grip is an online networking platform that ONA20 Everywhere will use to host individual and group networking opportunities in addition to the Midway virtual exhibit hall.
Details
Grip is an online platform that ONA20 Everywhere will use for hosting the Midway, in addition to networking for all participants. There are three main components:
- INDIVIDUAL LISTING Each attendee (including sponsor representatives) will have an individual listing in Grip that includes the option for a profile picture, bio, and interests selected from a list. Attendees can explore who else is attending ONA20 by browsing, or searching by title or interest area. Additionally, Grip’s AI will make recommendations of other attendees that may be of interest. If an attendee would like to meet or communicate with another attendee, they can mark request a meeting or that they are “interested.” If the other person is also “interested,” then Grip will alert both as to the connection and move them toward scheduling a video meeting in the platform. Here is a series of video overviews to walk you through the platform.
- VIRTUAL BOOTH Listings will be the ONA20 Midway space. Exhibitor booths and tables will be replaced by individual pages for each sponsor that include the ability to schedule meetings. All sponsor representatives attending the conference can link their availability to their own calendars within Grip as well as the company calendar, allowing attendees to schedule meetings at any time between October 1-14 — including hours outside of active programming. The ability to schedule meetings will begin mid-September, at which time we will also begin sharing the attendee registration lists with sponsors. This is what the profile will look like!
- VIRTUAL NETWORKING Grip also has a live event feature called a Wave, a virtual networking equivalent to speed-dating, which pairs attendees for a series of five-minute, one-on-one meetings based on preferences. Waves will be used for receptions and other meet-ups throughout ONA20. The AI will match the attendees based both on their indicated interests, as well as any preferences they mark for each Wave event. On average, there will be three rounds of one-on-one meetings at each Wave, in addition to a short presentatio