My Review of QC’s Virtual Events Training
Tamesha Antria is a QC Event School Student Ambassador. She is a graduate of the Event & Wedding Planning Course, as well as a student of the Destination Wedding Planning and Event Decor courses. Tamesha’s wedding and event planning business, Black Haven Events, offers clients everything from officiant services, wedding and event planning/coordination, virtual events, and much more.
Digital events are sweeping the nation with interest as we aim to curve COVID-19. When lockdown first began back in March, many businesses had to cancel their in-person events and host virtual events instead. This adjustment taught us how to host and attend these new kinds of events, in order to keep our connections strong while we practice safe social distancing. This has proven very rewarding for business owners!
The Benefits of Virtual Events
- Allows you to expand your clientele beyond your local area;
- Increases your bookings and overall income;
- Gives you an edge over the competition;
- Adds to your qualifications and strengthens your resume;
- And so much more.
E-services allow your clients to continue planning their celebrations during a time when in-person events might not be an option. We don’t have to lose connection – we simply need to change the way in which we wish to receive it.
My Journey into Virtual Events
When I first started to plan and coordinate digital events, I completely underestimated the process. It took me many months to get the swing of things. During that time, I’ll admit that I was learning in a disorganized manner; working to solidify a process to follow, entirely on my own.
Luckily, QC Event School soon released an online training course geared to helping planners pivot their services during the pandemic. It’s worth pointing out that, as with any of QC’s courses, the program is meant to be a guide. Ultimately, the work put into the process and results you achieve are truly up to you. If you give it your all, you’ll reap all of the rewards – and then some.
QC’s Virtual Events Training Course
The purpose of this course is to introduce (or reintroduce) the concepts involved with organizing virtual and/or hybrid events. Some examples of what you’ll learn include:
- The history of virtual and hybrid events
- How to keep guests engaged
- Technical support for events
- The 5 W’s of event planning
- Virtual event planning software
- Virtual event streaming platforms and their purpose
QC Event School courses are delivered physically (as a package that gets delivered to you by mail), as well as virtually (available directly in the Online Student Center). In light of COVID, I was especially appreciative of the fact that the Virtual Events Course was provided to me electronically. If you’re a person who values no contact, such as myself, then this will work great for you!
With direct online access to your course materials, you can pull up your workbooks and homework on your computer, tablet, or phone, hassle-free! All of your work remains in one location, which makes the experience practical and convenient.
In the Virtual Events Training Course, you’re provided with the following materials:
- 3 course textbooks
- 1 handout detailing 4 different virtual events assignment scenarios
- 1 client questionnaire template
- 5 assignments
- 1 self-study assignment
- 3 quizzes to complete
These materials are vital to teaching you valuable skills that will serve you well in your professional career! After all, we’ve seen the uncertainties of COVID-19 over the past year. You might not necessarily offer virtual and hybrid event services right now – but it could very well be a service that you offer in the coming future.
For example, if a client would like to have an event with 200+ attendees, you can offer different options that you weren’t equipped to offer before!
Why I Enrolled in QC’s Virtual Events Course
I chose to take this mini course because I wanted to further my career in unconventional events. Although I had already planned dozens of virtual events by that point, I’m not one to think I know it all. I hoped to learn about more planning and execution methods.
Planning virtual events is a bit more challenging than in-person functions. I strongly suggest developing a foundation in virtual and hybrid event planning before jumping into it. These types of events are highly detail-oriented. As such, proper planning is required for successful execution.
Before my training, I did many tasks on my own, without a team to assist me. However, this resulted in burnout. I learned to build and lean on my Tech Support Team. I’m now able to attend during virtual events and record interactions, rather than troubleshoot. It was very helpful for me to understand the overall foundation of virtual event planning and coordination, the history and implementation of it, and the different ways I could potentially use it to my company’s advantage.
My Thoughts on the Course
I went into this training with an open mind. I took detailed notes and approached the experience as if I’d never attended or planned a virtual event before. It doesn’t matter if you’ve done these things or know them already. Opening your mind to receiving new information is NEVER a bad idea!
Even if you’re already familiar with the core material, this course can remind you of details that you may have forgotten, or info that slips your mind during your normal routine. I used my notes only for assignments and quizzes, and applied them to my business’s virtual and hybrid services.
Since completing QC’s Virtual Events Training Course, I’ve actually recommended it to all of the planners and coordinators I know! I will continue to recommend it, too, because I learned everything I was hoping to learn!
With this training under my belt, I’ve now confidently deemed myself “THE Virtual Event and Wedding Planner” for clients to work with. I was able to combine my notes with my many months of planning during COVID, and create my first private virtual event!
Applying My Skills in My Career
My business, Black Haven Events, is currently coordinating a Virtual Wedding Expo in 2021. I’m so excited to transcend virtual events for clients that desire to connect in this unconventional way. I’ve received so much feedback from vendors and clientele across the country who want to participate safely, from the comfort of their homes or office. It brings me great joy to create this experience and space for everyone to share!
If YOU’RE interested in being a vendor or attending this Virtual Wedding Expo in 2021, feel free to send me an email! Our first event for the Southeast Region (Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida) will be held on January 22nd, 2021. If you’d like to see the magic, RSVP here!
