As we all know, 2020 has been a year like no other.

Along with the many changes and challenges to the ways we work and live, came the cancelation of large events and conferences.

June 2020 was set for Quickbase's 6th annual Empower user conference in San Diego, California.

But come late March, it was clear the event would not be held as planned.

Quickbase knew the "show must go on" and quickly pivoted to an online event that would be free for all to attend.

With only a few months to make a HUGE shift and a never been done (by them) before a virtual event, they pulled it off with flying colors!

Here are some of the elements that made it more than just online training:

• Virtual conference environment
  • Keynote
  • Breakout Sessions
  • On-Demand Training
  • Product Demos with Chat Rooms
  • Support & Resources
• Quickbase Community Slack
• Gamification & SWAG
• Tech Bar Appointments
• Live Band
• Happy Hour
• Empower Pets
• Yoga
• Playlist

If you registered for Virtual Empower can still log in to the virtual environment with the link provided in the email they sent shortly before the event starts on June 2nd.

If you didn't register, you may only be able to catch the video recordings on the Quickbase YouTube channel. (While you're there, check out the Quick Base Junkie channel)

The event was held on June 2 & 3 from 8:00 AM Pacific to 2:30 PM Pacific. I prepped by choosing which sessions to attend live, cleaning up my workspace, and letting my clients know I'd be 'at' the event getting the scoop on all the new toys.

The live band welcomed us at the beginning of the keynote and several more times throughout the event playing many classics from the likes of Pat Benatar, Alanis Morissette, and Bonnie Tyler.

The virtual conference environment was a fun way to navigate all the various activities. From the "Lobby" you could navigate to the Breakout Sessions, Product Demos, Tech Bar, etc. Each had its own virtual interface complete with scenes of little virtual conference-goers.  

For my 3 key takeaways from the Keynote, Product Demos, and Breakout Sessions, check out my blog post The Future of Quickbase Will Be Defined by This New Tech!. 

I actually missed the Empower Pets session where attendees got to join a Zoom room and show of their furry friends. Not to be left out Rylee and Sasha had the opportunity to make an appearance in Slack.

The gamification of attendance was quite fun (and competitive). You received points for participating in different activities such as networking sessions, chatting with experts at the demo booths, and breakout sessions. The leaderboard showed off how many points you had earned. After the event, anyone who earned points could purchase Quickbase Swag from the SWAG SHOP.

I snagged myself a shirt, several notebooks, a webcam cover, and a pen & stickers.

Throughout the event, many people shared their thoughts (#todayilearned), questions (#virtualempower), tips (#buildertips), and furry friend photos (#general) in the Quickbase Slack Community. I may have even dropped several Quick Base Junkie tips in the #buildertips channel!

If you registered and have access to the virtual conference environment I highly suggest checking it out. I heard that it will be open until August, but I'm not sure if that will actually be the case.

If you don't have access, many of the videos are on YouTube and you can still join the Quickbase Community Slack channel.

With the success of this event and the ability for people far and wide to attend, I'm sure Quickbase will be offering more virtual events in the future.

Thank you to everyone who put on the amazing Virtual Empower 2020!

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