Intel's Embedded Channel Conference is a bi-annual event where members of the Embedded Communications Alliance meet to network and hear from Intel leadership. But cost saving measures at the company slashed $300K from their budget, which threatened the cancellation of the conference slated to be held in Monte Carlo, France. Intel's Events Manager, Elaine Cook, began to look more closely at Intel's presence in Second Life as a secondary option for the conference.
“My manager wanted something forward-thinking, innovative, and fun," said Cook. "We explored Intel's Second Life campus and we liked it."
Intel went ahead and partnered with Rivers Run Red, a company that has developed the Immersive Workspaces solution specifically for Second Life. The company describes the product as a "premium collaboration solution, enabling enterprises to communicate and collaborate in a rich, 3D environment." Cook liked what she saw, regarding Immersive Workspaces as the most innovative and cost-effective option for the conference.
"We wanted a face-to-face conference," she said. "Second Life gave us the ablility to 'meet' our customers, face-to-computer." Cook notes that the company shaved off most of the $300K by holding the event online.
The Immersive Workspaces allowed up to 150 people to attend the event. Participants were able to see keynote presentations, live product demos and partake in social networking. At one point, 120 attendees were expected to attend, but this number ballooned to 147 when it was announced it would take place online. Immersive Workspaces also reduced the carbon footprint of a meeting by eliminating air flight.
“Our virtual conference was very green,” said Cook. “With no flights, our carbon footprint was much reduced."
“Immersive Workspaces is not a replacement for conferences but an evolutionary enhancement," said Justin Bovingtion, CEO of Rivers Run Red. "Building a tangible ROI model is of utmost importance. Our Web-based system, not only bridges the gap with seamless control and media sharing, it enables the enterprise to produce feedback and detailed reports on activity: time, duration, cost analysis and travel savings, and to build CO2 emission models. Most of these features are available in real time."
Attendees benefitted from walkabout training, games, and interactive information stations, as well as chatting with Intel product experts. There were a few bumps along the way - lack of familiarity with the Second Life interface, lack of pre-conference technical training, and firewall and network connectivity issues - but that was to be expected, seeing as Rivers Run Red had only three weeks to pull the conference together.
“We learned so much from this first virtual conference – our next one will be much better!” said Cook.
More round-up information is available on the Second Life blog.
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