Leveraging Zoom Events for Online Engagement
Challenge & Goals
In summer 2025, a three-day orientation event for participants in the English Language Fellow Program, which usually takes place in-person in Washington D.C., was switched to a virtual format due to unforeseen budget constraints. Though the main purpose of this annual orientation is to familiarize program participants with key policies and expectations, an equally important goal is to build camaraderie and allow participants to make connections among each other prior to their departure to countries around the world, where they will complete 10-month fellowships around the world. The challenge was thus to condense four full days of in-person orientation content to just three days with three hours of online content each while reducing Zoom fatigue and replicating the type of networking and community-building that would take place spontaneously in person.
With this goal in mind, my first step was to research digital platforms with robust networking capabilities. I proposed two platforms—Airmeet and Zoom Events—due to their networking features: virtual tables for Airmeet, a virtual expo hall for Zoom Events. U.S. State Department stakeholders chose Zoom Events due to Zoom’s broad familiarity.
Podcast Consulting
As the co-creator of the Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast, I have shaped the podcast from its very beginnings. Some challenges I’ve undertaken:
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Choosing a name for the podcast that reflects its focus on reflective practice for teachers;
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Designing a logo and developing consistent branding for the podcast across its website, social media, and other appearances;
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Building and maintaining the podcast’s website, leveraging SEO, and distributing episodes on hosting platforms;
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Planning monthly episode content, writing scripts, scheduling guests, and writing interview questions;
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Engaging guests in dynamic interviews that communicate the impact of their work and tangible takeaways for listeners;
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Editing episodes that weave together interview recordings and host commentary in a seamless, engaging listening experience, using tools such as Audacity (manual editing) and Descript (AI-powered).
Work with me, and take your new or existing podcast to new heights!
Overcoming Technical Challenges
Despite its affordances, Zoom Events presented several quirks and limitations. In the two months leading up to the event, I guided my team through rapid and rigorous discovery, customizing event settings, designing graphics, crafting clear messaging, registering participants, onboarding and training event speakers, training staff, and creating tutorial materials for participants. Watch tutorial video.
The event sessions included a mix of formal presentations and smaller breakouts, and covered topics key to program participants’ success, including their role in public diplomacy; regional goals and priorities; health, safety, and cultural considerations; and program policies. In these sessions, participants had a chance to interact with other program participants in their regions and with key stakeholders.
Excerpted event schedule with unique session graphics
Engagement Strategies
In addition to formal sessions, Fellows had a chance to engage in an informal Networking Hour each day in the virtual expo hall on Zoom Events. Each booth in the expo hall represented a different topic of interest, such as traveling with dependents and working in low-resource contexts, with a discussion guide my team prepared to stimulate conversation and help Fellows connect with one another.
Beyond the Networking Hour, to allow for an informal exchange and to create a sense of community among the Fellows, I worked with my team to shape and implement the following engagement strategies:
Screenshot from the expo hall floor with themed booths
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A Padlet Question of the Day board with an icebreaker question released each day, to encourage general networking;
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Zoom Backgrounds representing each of the State Department's six regions to encourage regional cohesion among participants;
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A “10 Tips to Make the Most of the Fellow Orientation” document to facilitate a smoother attendee experience;
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Daily Lobby Announcements in Zoom Events with reminders and tips for attendees;
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A Lobby Chat to support ongoing connection and support for Fellows in need of technical assistance.
Sample regional Zoom background for Europe & Eurasia (EUR)
Sample Padlet Question of the Day
Podcast Consulting
As the co-creator of the Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast, I have shaped the podcast from its very beginnings. Some challenges I’ve undertaken:
-
Choosing a name for the podcast that reflects its focus on reflective practice for teachers;
-
Designing a logo and developing consistent branding for the podcast across its website, social media, and other appearances;
-
Building and maintaining the podcast’s website, leveraging SEO, and distributing episodes on hosting platforms;
-
Planning monthly episode content, writing scripts, scheduling guests, and writing interview questions;
-
Engaging guests in dynamic interviews that communicate the impact of their work and tangible takeaways for listeners;
-
Editing episodes that weave together interview recordings and host commentary in a seamless, engaging listening experience, using tools such as Audacity (manual editing) and Descript (AI-powered).
Work with me, and take your new or existing podcast to new heights!
Event Outcomes
The event involved ~160 participants, 60+ government staff, and 21 support staff, leaving participants feeling energized. 86% of participants reported they felt more prepared and excited for their upcoming fellowships.