Web Events That Connect: the Masterclass, live online

Live-online fully-interactive masterclass with Judy Rees - the "chef" behind the Web Events That Connect recipe - and Mark Kilby

Do you need people to take action on knowledge you have to share - online?

Do you need people to engage - with you, with each other, and with the information - so that things get done?

Do you need the kind of open dialogue that uncovers barriers to real-world action and helps to overcome them?

Do you need to inspire participants to become active collaborators or clients?

Join this class to gain the knowledge and skills you need.

Learn to create Web Events That Connect

Remember when professional events were colourful experiences? Those chance connections that turned out to really matter; the conversations that went really deep; bumping into old friends and colleagues; the happy accidents and moments of fun that forged lasting memories...? 

Whether your professional 'events' were called meetups, seminars, workshops, conferences, forums, classes, unconferences, networking, discussions, debates or ‘meetings’ of various kinds, they had impact. And because of that, things happened afterwards. Work (and other stuff) got done.  

When everything moved online, many events turned grey. As professionals, we found ourselves awash in an endless stream of ever-duller meetings and ever-more-boring webinars. 

But here's the thing. it doesn't have to be like that! 

You can create memorable, impactful professional events online 

Here at Rees McCann, we've proved that by leading tons of online events in the last 12 months. We've designed and/or delivered:

• A week-long global conference that was "as engaging, if not more, as face-to-face meetings"
• A 13-hour unconference for 150 coaches, facilitators and trainers
• A mission-critical staff engagement workshop
• The launch of a unique global community of practice
• A community engagement event for a UK local authority
• Dozens of training workshops on a wide range of topics (including several that people thought couldn't be done online)
• High-level stakeholder events with trustees, board members, donors, key customers etc.

(Click the links above to read case studies.)

In this Masterclass, you'll learn how to create Web Events That Connect for yourself, your organisation... and most importantly, for the people who participate. You'll hear some of our 'war stories' and learn from our experiences.

Who should attend

If you are (or will be) the organiser, presenter, trainer or facilitator of an online event, or if your job is to drive the technology, you’ll learn plenty that you didn’t know you didn’t know.

If you have experience bringing people together to learn from each other, this course is for you - whether you're considering your first online event, have run webinars and now want to increase engagement, or are a seasoned trainer or facilitator taking your practice online. 

“This course provides insightful and valuable lessons in what makes an online experience enjoyable, memorable and interesting. Judy's extensive experience in this subject shines through as she guides the attendees through the content, all the time using the techniques discussed to make it a rich learning environment. Highly recommended.” Chris Pitts, Boss Bear, Thirsty Bear Solutions

“Two things happen when you take this course. First, you gain an awareness for how terrible most online events are (including your own). Second, you learn what it actually takes to rise above the status quo through participatory methods. Judy shares the knowledge and experience you need to run better, more humane events that bring people together and leave them better off. Believe me, it makes worlds of difference." Ben Mosior, Principal Consultant, Hired Thought

The course will teach you a simple yet super-effective recipe for quickly creating powerful connections across groups online.

We’ll walk you through the process, step by step, and show you exactly how to plug in your content, for your groups, to deliver the maximum possible impact.

This recipe delivers clear results whether your event participants are customers, colleagues, professional partners, donors, board members, campaigners or students, and wherever they are in the world.

• If you are an experienced trainer who may want to deliver this content to your clients, attending an edition of this training is an essential prerequisite for becoming a Rees McCann licensed trainer.

What you'll get from this Masterclass

You’ll learn to design, organise and run your own Web Events That Connect. These could be:

• Single events, typically between 45 minutes and two hours (you'll learn how to adjust the format for longer or shorter events)
• Series of events, such as regular online meetups or multi-day conferences
• For groups of between five and 500 participants. 

You’ll learn how to:

• Structure engaging web events that delight the participants - including presenters and sponsors.
• Choose and use technology to create a seamless experience for everyone involved.
• Persuade your participants to stop spectating and to turn up prepared to participate, with their video cameras on.
• Handle button-pressing overwhelm and manage inevitable technology problems.
• Skip the ‘tumbleweed moments’ and get people talking - but nobody talking too much.
• Package your unique content so that it works effectively online.
• Go straight to solutions that deliver reliably, and avoid embarrassing rookie errors.

This is not primarily a technical training. You'll be expected to be broadly familiar with participating in video-conference calls (Zoom, MS Teams etc). But we'll show you how to really use the technology to deliver impactful events.

You’ll learn alongside a small group of real people facing challenges like yours, and connect with them over high-value small-group activities. (Making new friends is an often-reported side benefit.)

Your trainer: Judy Rees

Named as a ‘Top 100 influencer in Remote Working’ in 2020 by Onalytica, Judy was an early adopter of remote facilitation as she trained international groups on high-level communication skills for leaders. In those days people assumed that in-the-room classes were essential but Judy ran her courses live online using basic video tools… and the students loved it! She’s stayed on the leading edge of live online training, facilitation and consultancy ever since.

Logistics and prices

Four modules are delivered as two four-hour sessions, via Zoom. You will need a decent internet connection, a webcam and headset, and a quiet place to call from.

The complete course, 29 & 30 March, 2pm - 6pm UK time, is £600 per person, plus VAT where applicable.

• VAT is applicable for all customers in the UK
• VAT is NOT applicable for EU or non-EU customers

If you are uncertain whether VAT is applicable to your situation please contact us.

You can pay using a credit card via this site: we have listed ticket options including and excluding VAT. 

If you prefer to pay by invoice, please register using the appropriate ticket type and we'll be in touch by email.

Course elements

Module 1: Foundations of online spaces (29 March)

• Engage people effectively online
• Set up your workspace for better communication
• Essential guidelines for participative remote meetings
• Communication protocols to listen and be better understood
• Tips to persuade others to collectively create an online space that works

Module 2: Structures for online engagement (29 March)

• Design events to maximise engagement between people, ideas and information
• Spark dialogue and promote powerful human connections
• Make it much more likely that people will act on what they learn
• Use the power of social learning and networks to make your online meetings and events more memorable and more likely to lead to positive change

Module 3: Delivery techniques for ‘producers’ (30 March)

• Confidently manage the technical aspects of hosting meetings of 2 - 100 people on Zoom, including breakout groups
• Deal with relevant security concerns
• Implement strategies to manage third-party tools such as whiteboards and sticky notes alongside the video stream

Module 4: Mastering online facilitation and chairing (30 March)

• Eradicate multitasking and distraction, making focus the default, maximising effective work and learning
• Build real, human connections between participants 
• Make sure your events feel psychologically safe and inclusive
• Discourage damaging groupthink and open space for creative divergence

“I knew the course would give me more confidence with the events that I am running online, but it gave me even more than that: tools, behaviours, planning, and fun!” Jane Cameron, Head of Communications and Events, Confederation of Cooperative Housing