SEEING YOUR INVESTORS AT YOUR ANNUAL INVESTOR MEETING IS CRUCIAL. IF THEY CAN’T TURN UP, FOCUS ON THE PEOPLE IN THE ROOM AND SHARE YOUR FUND UPDATES LATER.
Private equity firms now face the challenge of encouraging investors to attend their Annual Investor Meeting (AIM) in person. A key decision is to either live stream the event or record it and share afterwards. While streaming can have its benefits, there are more compelling reasons why hosting an in-person-only event is the way to go.
Here are 10 reasons why you should avoid live streaming your in-person AIM event.
1. format
Live streaming an in-person event cannibalises the experience for both audiences. You need to shorten the agenda in order to keep the attention of remote viewers. You also need to shorten the gaps between sessions. This means both online and in-person attendees get a sub-optimal experience.
2. control
Hosting an in-person meeting gives you greater control over the environment and the overall experience. You can control the venue, the setup, and the flow of the meeting, allowing you to create a more polished and professional experience for attendees.
3. security
Live streaming the meeting presents risks around the confidentiality of the discussions, people present, NDAs, and the information presented. While you can take measures to protect the meeting’s content, there is always the risk of a breach. Editing the fund updates and having complete control of what is presented and shared afterwards is a safer process.
4. technical difficulties
Technical issues can arise during live streams, such as slow internet connections, buffering or sound problems. Such issues can be frustrating for remote attendees and may lead to lower attendance rates in the future. In-person meetings offer more control over the logistics of the event, making it less likely to experience technical issues.
5. the experience
In-person meetings are more memorable than virtual ones. When people attend a meeting in person, they are more likely to remember the content and the experience, which can be valuable for building relationships with investors and leaving a positive impression on them.
6. social events
In-person meetings provide an opportunity to host social events, such as dinners or drinks. These events can be valuable for building relationships with investors in a more relaxed setting, outside of the formal event environment.
7. personal touch
The personal touch of meeting in person cannot be replaced by virtual alternatives. Building relationships with investors is crucial, and meeting in person allows for better bonding, sharing of ideas and understanding of the needs of the investors. Presenting is also easier face-to-face, than through a camera lens.
8. engagement
When people participate in an event remotely, they are more likely to multitask or get distracted by other tasks. In-person events can help create a more focused and engaged audience, leading to more meaningful conversations and a higher level of engagement with the material presented.
9. output
When you live stream multiple cameras, you need to vision mix as the presentations unfold – this always leads to minor errors (someone stands in front of a camera or a camera is out of focus or pointed at the wrong area of the stage). This is considerably less effective than editing the content in post-production, to pick the best angles and take care of any changes.
10. additional content
In-person events open themselves up to other sessions that might not be shared afterwards. These could be fireside chats, guest speakers or workshops. LPAC sessions can take place the following day. Additional sessions can be used as an incentive to encourage more attendees.
In conclusion, while live streaming has some advantages, there are more reasons to encourage people to turn up for your next AIM. An in-person meeting provides greater control, more memorable experiences, better communication and networking opportunities. Furthermore, it is more professional and can help build stronger relationships with investors. The event content must be filmed but should be edited, checked and shared in due course for more controlled and polished results.