Assessment of preference between online and physical conferences

Abstract

Objective: To assess the preferences of conference attendees from the six geopolitical regions of Nigeria regarding  virtual and physical conferences.

Methods: This study was conducted among registered attendees of a virtual conference made up of dentists practising  in Nigeria. Questionnaires were sent 24 hours after the conference via an online platform web-link. They were  self administered and sought to investigate the benefits/challenges of virtual and physical meetings/conferences,  experiences regarding the virtual conference and their preferences.

Results: Sixty-seven of the participants filled the questionnaire giving a response rate of 73.6% with the predominant  age group being 30 to 39 years (44.8%). Sixty-six (97.1%) of them had attended physical conferences while twothirds of  the participants were attending a virtual conference for the first time. Many (46.2%) preferred the face to face (physical)  conferences though majority of the participants agreed that the virtual conference was more convenient, economical,  and safe. Challenging factors for most people included navigating the virtual platform and not being able to visit novel  places.

Conclusion: Though conference attendees rated the virtual conference well, the preference for physical  conference attendance was higher. Hybrid conferences – a mix of both the physical and virtual – would be most  beneficial.