When building an agenda in Gradual, there are several session formats and types in the dashboard to select to adjust what the event attendees see on the front end, and how the session behaves in the platform.
Hybrid events: Agenda experience
For Hybrid events, each session must be associated with an attendance mode - hybrid, in-person only, or virtual only as that will be displayed and available to each experience.
Note: You cannot make changes to the session's experience - or attendance mode - once it's saved. You can recreate the session with the correct experience selected, and delete the incorrect one from the agenda.
Agenda session types
You must select a Type of session when building an Agenda, as this selection will dictate the behavior of your event attendees, and what kind of experience they will have when they engage in that agenda session.
This should be selected when you are hosting a live stream session and you want attendees to watch the stream, or to indicate a speaking session at an in-person event. This will prompt you to select a format to label the agenda item further (see below for more information). You can provide a description of this session and also select speaker(s) and sponsor(s) to feature. The agenda item will be labeled with the format you select (see below for more information).
Here is an example of what it will look like in the agenda:
1:1 Networking
This should be selected when you want attendees to engage in one-on-one matching or networking. You can provide a description of this session and it will be automatically labeled '1:1 Networking' in the agenda.
The agenda session block will display a 'Join now' button for attendees to select that will navigate them to the Match tab where they can opt into a 1:1 call with another event attendee.
Here is an example of what it will look like in the agenda:
Break
This should be selected when you want attendees to take a break. You can provide a description of this session and it will be automatically labeled 'Break' in the agenda.
Here is an example of what it will look like in the agenda:
Meeting Room
This should be selected when you want attendees to engage in a meeting room (group call). This will prompt you to select a format to label the agenda item further (see below for more information). The description of this session, and the speaker and host selection are optional but you will need to select the number of seats available in the meeting room before confirming.
The agenda session block will display a 'Join now' button for attendees to select that will navigate them into the Meeting room. It will also populate the label you selected in format (see below for more information), how many seats are remaining, and the host of the meeting room (if selected).
Note: You can also host Q&A (regular or moderated) within a meeting room agenda session.
Here is an example of what it will look like in the agenda:
Roundtable
This should be selected when you want attendees to engage in roundtable discussions. You can provide a description of this session and it will be automatically labeled 'Roundtable' in the agenda.
The agenda session block will display an 'Explore' button for attendees to select that will navigate them to the Roundtables tab for them to select with roundtable to join.
Note: You must build roundtable(s) and open time slot(s) within the event dashboard for this session type to work.
Here is an example of what it will look like in the agenda:
External Link
This should be selected when you need attendees to be directed to an external URL for the agenda session, like a Zoom webinar, etc. You will need to provide the direct link URL where you will be sending the attendees but the description of this session and selecting a speaker are optional.
The agenda session block will display a 'Join now' button for attendees in the agenda, which when selected will navigate them out of Gradual, to the external link.
This type of session will take attendees OUT of Gradual and should only be used when absolutely necessary as users may not return to the event in Gradual.
Here is an example of what it will look like in the agenda:
Agenda formats
You must enter a format for two Agenda types (Speaking Sessions or Meeting Rooms) to further clarify what kind of session you'll be hosting. You can either select a format from the list or enter a format title of your choice. You will not be prompted to select a format for 1:1 Networking, Break, and Roundtables.
Note: These are just labels on the agenda and do not change the function or behavior of your agenda item.
Speaking session
These are the different formats you can select from a Speaking Session type of agenda item.
These are just labels that will appear at the top of your agenda item.
Opening/Closing
Keynote
Presentation
Fireside Chat
Panel Discussion
Breakout session
Customized format
If you'd like to add a customized format to list on your agenda session, simply type in the text you'd like it to read, and it will label that session with that format. There is a limit of 20 characters and the customized entry will not save for future sessions or events.
Meeting Room
These are the different formats you can select from a Meeting Room type of agenda item.
These are just labels that will appear at the top of your agenda item.
Q&A (stands for 'Question & Answer')
Discussion
AMA (stands for 'Ask me anything')
Mastermind
Breakout
Workshop
Customized format
If you'd like to add a customized format to list on your agenda session, simply type in the text you'd like it to read, and it will label that session with that format. There is a limit of 20 characters and the customized entry will not save for future sessions or events.
Here is what the Agenda Format labels look like on the front end for community members:
Learn more about building an agenda here.
Note: You can tweak the Agenda as needed until the event starts or hide the agenda entirely by toggling visibility on and off at the top of the Agenda page, in your event dashboard.