USC Marshall Athena Summit
USC Marshall School of Business
Virtual
Client Name
USC Marshall School of Business
Attendees
1,200
Location
Las Vegas, USA
Platform
Hopin
Challenge
Hosted during the global pandemic, the 2020 Summit was the first fully virtual event in the Athena Series for the first time in 5 years. Thus the task was to create an engaging and impactful virtual event that maintained the vibrancy and interactivity of what had always been an in-person conference. Athena’s unique audience of founders, investors, and thought leaders required a platform that could seamlessly host live discussions, facilitate meaningful networking, and deliver a motivating experience. Additionally, the event needed to incorporate innovative elements, such as a pitch competition and 6 different virtual sponsor booths, to keep the audience engaged for a full day of programming. The goal was to elevate the virtual summit beyond a standard webinar and provide an event that participants would find memorable and inspirational.
Solution
We approached the Athena Summit with a comprehensive strategy designed to maximize engagement and deliver a high-caliber virtual experience by leveraging the robust capabilities of the Hopin platform for seamless live streaming of panels, multiple stages, keynote sessions, interactive networking, and a live People's Choice Women's Pitch Competition. High-quality visuals, professional audio, and creative transitions captured the event's energy and sophistication, while a thoughtfully tailored programming agenda addressed the needs of women entrepreneurs. Esteemed speakers—including Saweetie, Mellody Hobson, Willow Bay, and Alyson DeNardo—delivered actionable insights and inspiration, with panels exploring topics such as navigating funding challenges, leveraging communication strategies, and fostering innovation.
The Virtual Athena Summit 2020 welcomed over 1,200 participants from diverse industries and backgrounds, which was a 240% increase in attendance compared to the previous year. Attendees praised the event for its engaging sessions and networking opportunities, noting that the format made it easy to connect with like-minded professionals and students. A highlight of the summit was Gracie Lane, Founder of The Middle, taking home the top prize of $11,000 as the winner of the Athena Women’s Pitch Competition. The event featured a lineup of prominent speakers who highlighted the seamless production and the positive energy of the event, leaving themselves inspired. Virtual booths and branded sessions allowed sponsors to showcase their initiatives and connect with potential collaborators and clients.
The 2020 Athena Women’s Entrepreneurship Summit brought together changemakers from 14 countries across five continents, creating a powerful platform for women entrepreneurs to connect, share, and grow. Through Athena, USC Marshall continues to inspire and foster the next generation of female founders.
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Los Angeles
Denver
Atlanta
Washington, D.C.
Dallas
South Africa
Germany
Philippines
Japan
Malaysia
Los Angeles
Denver
Atlanta
Washington, D.C.
Dallas
South Africa
Germany
Philippines
Japan
Malaysia