EventMobi's Group Discussions organizes event conversations into channels, creating a hub for networking and sharing knowledge. This feature serves as a gateway to connect with users before and during the event, prolonging its impact.
Table of Content:
- How It Works
- Creating Group Discussion Channels
- Settings
- Participate in Group Discussions
- Best Practice: Channel Topics
- Exporting Data & Engagement Analytics
1. How It Works
Group Discussions are a valuable tool for enhancing networking and engagement at events. They can cover a wide range of topics, from education to relationship-building, providing a digital platform for interactive sessions.
2. Creating Group Discussion Channels
As the event organizer, you can easily set up discussion topics by creating channels. Simply navigate to the "Group Discussions" option within the Event Space product of the Experience Manager. Click on "Add Channel" to create a new channel and fill out the form in the pop-up window that appears.
Channel Name (required):
When naming your channel, choose a title or theme that clearly conveys the purpose to your attendees within a limit of 64 characters.
Channel Description:
Adding a description to your channel is optional but can assist attendees in understanding the discussions focus and how best to participate. The character limit of this field is 128.
You can create up to 100 discussion channels to align with the main themes and topics of your event. For a clearer overview, we suggest using up to 5 channels per event to ensure that the conversations remain connected and cohesive.
3. Settings
Reorder Channels:
In the Group Discussion area of the Experience Manager, you will find a button "Reorder Challenges" which allow you to change the order of the channels by drag-and-drop the channel to it's preferred position. After reordering your channels, please make sure to click on "save order" to save your changes.
Edit Channel:
Located on the right-hand side of each channel within the Group Discussion overview, you will find the option to edit the channel. This feature allows you to make changes to the channel name and description.
Export Channel Data:
To export the message for each channel, simply click on the "Export" button located on the right side. This action will prompt a .CSV file to automatically download, containing timestamps, attendee names, attendee emails, and messages from the specific channel.
Delete a Channel:
To completely delete a channel along with all its messages, simply select the channel by checking the box on the left (you can choose multiple channels at once) and then click on "Delete Channel(s)" at the bottom.
To confirm the deletion, type in "DELETE" in the pop-up window that appears. Please be aware that once deleted, channels cannot be restored, so it is important to export your channel data beforehand.
Group Discussion Section:
Ensure that your attendees can access the various Group Discussion channels by verifying if your Group Discussion is set to be visible in the Sections area within the Event Space product. Additionally, you can customize the default section name for Group Discussion and limit visibility to specific groups of people from this section.
Please keep in mind that visibility settings cannot be customized for individual Group Discussion channels. All channels will be visible to users who have access to the Group Discussion section. Additionally, only one Group Discussion section can be included in your event.
Group Discussion Widget on Homepage:
Moreover, event organizers can enhance the attendee experience by adding a dedicated widget on the homepage specifically for Group Discussions. This widget highlights the latest interactions happening in the event's channels, enabling attendees to easily access them by clicking on a specific channel or opting for the "View All Discussions" option.
4. Participate in Group Discussions
Once attendees are logged in, they can easily access the Group Discussion feature by clicking on the Group Discussion widget on the homepage or selecting the Group Discussion section from the left-hand menu.
This action will take them to the channel overview where they can explore the various channel topics and click on a specific channel to view the messages being shared.
To post a message in a Group Discussion channel, simply click on the "Write a message" field to type your text. You can also enhance your message by adding an image or using emojis from the list by clicking on the designated icon located on the right side.
To reply to messages from other attendees, simply click on their message and choose the arrow icon. This will open a new window where you can type and send your response.
To show your reaction to messages from other participants, simply click on their post and then select the emoji icon to explore a range of emojis that can help you express your response.
Posts within Group Discussion Channels can be edited or deleted by the original sender. In order to edit or delete your own post, click on your text and select the 3 dots icon. From there, you can choose to either edit or delete your message.
Only the individual who initially sent the message has the capability to edit or delete their own posts within the Group Discussion feature. As the event organizer, there is no moderation feature available for messages. Deleting the entire channel is the only method to remove posts, but this action will also erase messages from other participants.
5. Best Practice: Channel Topics
Here are some channel ideas that can help encourage engagement, improve the event experience, and provide opportunities for attendees to connect, learn, and develop. Feel free to customize them to align with the unique needs and objectives of your event.
✈️ Travel Tips
Share travel advice and tips for making the most of your journey. Whether it's packing recommendations, navigating airports, or local customs, this channel is your go-to source for smart travel strategies. Connect with fellow travelers to plan meetups or share experiences.
📆 Meetup Planning
Traveling solo or arriving early? Use this channel to connect with other attendees and organize meetups before the event kicks off. Coordinate arrivals, share transportation options, and make new friends before you even check in.
🏙️ Exploring the City
Discover the best spots around town! Whether you’re looking for local attractions, hidden gems, or cultural experiences, this channel helps you find the must-see places in the city. Share your own finds and plan group outings with fellow explorers.
🍽️ Best Food Nearby
Calling all food enthusiasts! Explore the city's culinary scene with tips from fellow attendees. From gourmet dining to local eateries, get recommendations on the best spots to satisfy your taste buds and plan delicious meetups.
👋 First-Time Attendees
New to the event? This is the perfect space to meet other first-timers, get advice from seasoned attendees, and make your first event experience unforgettable. Share your expectations, ask questions, and build connections.
🔥 Hot Topic Sessions
Engage in dynamic discussions about the most talked-about sessions. Share your insights, challenge perspectives, and deepen your understanding of key topics with fellow attendees. Perfect for those who love a good debate.
🔗 Making Connections
Expand your network by connecting with other attendees. Share your professional interests, exchange contact information, and plan meetups. This channel is your gateway to fostering meaningful connections that extend beyond the event.
🎉 Social & Cultural Events
Keep up with social and cultural happenings during the event. Plan group outings, join cultural experiences, and make the most of the social side of the event by connecting with others in a relaxed setting.
6. Exporting Data & Engagement Analytics
Click the "Export" button located in the Group Discussion area of Experience Manager to download a .CSV file with timestamps, attendee names, emails, and messages from the channel.
For general analytics regarding the activities within your Group Discussions, visit the Analytics area of Experience Manager and select the "Networking" tab
Scrolling further down the page will lead you to the Group Discussion module where you can access a broad overview of your Group Discussions analytics. This includes insights such as the Adoption Rate, which measures the engagement level by calculating the number of people who sent or received messages divided by the total number of participants. Additionally, you can view the number of participants who sent messages, the total messages exchanged, and a list of the top channels that have achieved the most engagement. 
Need further assistance? Click the Help button in the upper right corner of the Experience Manager to get in touch with our awesome support team.