Dutch Dalton Association looks back with enthusiasm
The Dutch Dalton Association looks back on its national congress with great enthusiasm. The benefits of a hybrid event were fully utilized during the association’s triennial national conference. “Together with Networkapp, we organized a hybrid congress for the first time in 2021. We had already used the Networkapp platform during our 2018 congress to facilitate networking at the venue, and that experience was very positive. With all the additional hybrid features now available, we’re even more enthusiastic”, says Paul J. Hendriks. The event was a tremendous success. Never before had so many education professionals participated in the Dutch Dalton Association Congress.
A congress with a plenary livestream
The Dutch Dalton Association represents 343 accredited Dalton primary schools and childcare centres, 29 accredited secondary schools, and 13 higher education institutions across the Netherlands. “Before COVID-19, our annual congress took place at a single venue in Deventer and welcomed around 600 participants. In 2021, the congress was organized across ten different school locations, with an impressive 1,391 participants”, Hendriks explains. The programme featured presentations from both primary and secondary education, alongside a variety of workshops and discussion sessions in special interest groups.
“We started with a plenary opening session as a live event, which participants could watch through the Networkapp or on television screens available at the different locations. After that, each venue continued with its own programme, which was not livestreamed.”
The best choice during uncertain times
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated technological developments across the event industry and made the decision to organize a hybrid event an obvious one for the Dutch Dalton Association. Hendriks explains: “During such an uncertain period, this seemed like the best option, and it turned out very well. We’re extremely pleased with the outcome.”
Choosing Networkapp was an easy decision. “We first used Networkapp for our congress in 2018, and that experience was very positive. The preparation process was clear and well coordinated between the Networkapp team and Halito, the registration platform for our congress. Everything ran smoothly because they truly know what they’re doing. As an organizer, that gives you confidence that your event will run successfully.”
An event app that informs and connects
Participants also benefited from all the familiar advantages of Networkapp during the hybrid congress. “The congress app was a valuable tool for all our participants. It contained all the event information, made it easy to select and change workshop preferences, and, most importantly, allowed attendees to network effortlessly with other participants”, says Hendriks.
When asked whether he would work with Networkapp again, his answer is clear: “Absolutely! It was a very positive experience, especially because of the technology behind the congress app. Participants were linked to the programme at their own location, while still being able to connect and network with attendees at all the other locations through the app.”
