Voice from the organizer [Mr. Mikio Nakajima]
13th Japanese Society of Home Pharmacy Academic Conference
Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences/Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Professor Mikio Nakajima
[Holding period] September 2020, 9 to November 13, 9
[Venue] Web event
[Number of participants] 1,185 people
How did you feel about holding an online conference this time?
Mr. Mikio Nakajima
The 13th Academic Conference of the Japanese Society of Home Pharmacy was originally scheduled to be held at Nagasaki Brick Hall in July with over 7 participants. As the event approached, we thought it would be difficult to hold the event as planned, so we initially considered the idea of postponing it and holding it in person later this year. However, as it was determined that the impact of the new coronavirus infection was likely to be long-term, the event was postponed by two months to September, and the event period was changed to a ``web event with a print event'' for 1,000 days. Negotiations regarding the content of the program and cooperation from sponsoring companies had to be restarted from scratch.
It was the first experience for everyone, including the conference office in Osaka, to hold an online conference, but because the conference office had staff who were well-versed in website creation, we were able to quickly complete the website for the online conference in Nagasaki. Resident members (Chairperson: Mr. Hitoshi Sasaki, Organizing Committee Chair: Mikio Nakajima, Steering Committee Chair: Mr. Mugen Teshima, Steering Committee: Mr. Hiromitsu Fukuchi) collaborated to create a new promotional PV for the online conference, and the online conference We actively disseminated information to solicit people to pre-register for the event, using SNS and video sites.
The most difficult aspect of this process was to come up with a new project that would allow as many members as possible to participate in the online conference, giving them a sense of ``fun typical of Nagasaki'' that would rival the real conference. Therefore, we came up with the idea of ``a web social gathering at the Nagasaki Confucius Temple (an evening of henmen, erhu, and dragon dances)'' and, hoping for a concierge function as a DMO, we consulted with the Nagasaki International Tourism and Convention Association. A new collaboration with MICE stakeholders and business operators was born.
The main projects after the change to the online conference other than the web social gathering are: (1) distribution of "Nagasaki sweets set" to pre-registered participants, (2) establishment of a "local products sales site" on the website, and (3) "Welcome to the Mayor of Nagasaki" Message" and "Nagasaki sightseeing virtual video" posted on the website.
In particular, the ``Nagasaki Sweets Set'' was praised by many participants as a ``gift that gives you a taste of Nagasaki,'' and there was a visible response mainly on SNS. In addition, participants who watched the magical atmosphere of the Confucius Temple at night and other attractions such as the strange mask show at the web social gathering said in the chat on the day, ``I want to go to Nagasaki once the coronavirus pandemic subsides.'' I did. Thanks to the teamwork of everyone involved in Nagasaki MICE, we were able to exceed 1,000 pre-registered participants (the final number of participants was 1,185) despite the change to an online conference.
I myself rediscovered the ``goodness of Nagasaki'' by learning about the activities of the people involved in Nagasaki MICE and the young mask artists at the Nagasaki Confucius Shrine, which I had never met at the Real Society. Being able to participate in the planning and management of the Nagasaki Games as the organizing committee chair was a truly wonderful experience that served as a great source of inspiration for me.
Please tell us about your main initiatives this time.
Mr. Mikio Nakajima
After deciding to switch to an online conference, the first thing we worked on was to create a program that could overcome the challenges of holding the conference in real life, and to create the appeal of the Nagasaki conference that could only be held online.
In the case of the real event, the program was to hold various lectures at 2 venues over 6 days, so if the sessions you wanted to participate in were at the same time, you would only be able to attend one session, and if the sessions were popular, you would not be able to enter the venue. There were such issues. These things can't be helped in a real event. However, with an online conference, you can reconsider the program structure and holding period. Therefore, special lectures by designated speakers and sponsored sessions by supporting companies will be streamed in real time, while general lectures and symposiums will be streamed on demand with pre-recorded lecture videos, making it possible for participants to participate in all sessions. made possible.
Additionally, the event period was set to 15 days so that participants could watch the on-demand lectures with plenty of time. As a result, the event was very well received, with participants saying things like, ``I was able to view the slides clearly,'' ``I was able to watch the on-demand distribution over and over again,'' and ``I was able to enjoy participating more than the real event.'' did. Of course, the prerequisite for this was that we were able to prepare a distribution situation that guaranteed a certain level of quality with the help of the conference office in Osaka.
On the other hand, in order to create the appeal of the Nagasaki tournament that can only be held online, we chose Nagasaki Confucius Temple as the venue for the online social gathering, which has an exotic atmosphere typical of Nagasaki and is a semi-outdoor facility that can be protected against rain. On the day of the event, the main performances were a live show of Henmen and Erhu, and pre-recorded footage of the dragon dance filmed by drone, and a set of Nagasaki alcohol and snacks that could be purchased in advance was also prepared. At the web social gathering, a popular anchor from a local TV station and I served as MCs, and we live-streamed the ``fun of Nagasaki'' through food reports and attractions about local products.
What are the good things about choosing Nagasaki as the venue for the tournament?
Mr. Mikio Nakajima
This year's Nagasaki conference was unexpectedly changed to an online conference. However, Nagasaki has a history influenced by the diverse "Japanese, Chinese, and Dutch cultures," and has many distinctive facilities, historical sites, and food culture, making it a city rich in sights and delicious specialties. As a result, we were able to come up with attractive content that could be unique to an online conference. I also believe that these mechanisms were a major factor in motivating academic members to register to participate in advance. Also, one of the good things about hosting the tournament in Nagasaki is that I was able to meet a lot of local people and rediscover the great things about Nagasaki.
We hope to invite and hold conferences in Nagasaki in the future.
Please send a message to those who are planning to attend.
Mr. Mikio Nakajima
Nagasaki is extremely popular as a venue for academic conferences and conferences. Please hold your academic conference or conference in Nagasaki, a city that everyone from all over the country wants to visit. It will be a good experience to hold the event, and I will have a lot of fun interacting and talking with so many people. This time, we came up with the idea of a "web social gathering at the Nagasaki Confucius Temple" as a new project that allows people to experience the fun of Nagasaki as much as the real academic conference, so we will talk to local governments and MICE-related people who have not been able to connect with the real academic conference. , new collaborations with business operators were born, and we were able to lead the Nagasaki Games to success. The mayor of Nagasaki also participated in the online social gathering, which would not have been possible at a real academic conference. Being able to participate in the planning and management of the Nagasaki tournament was a truly wonderful experience that will serve as a great source of inspiration for me as well. I think the most important thing when attracting and holding an academic conference or conference is to choose a venue with good facilities and to be blessed with reliable supporters. If you work in an appropriate location that matches the purpose of your conference or conference, and work with great colleagues, your conference or conference will definitely be a success.