Introduction
On August 1, 2024, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania hosted the Wharton Global Faculty Development Program, a networking event designed to bring together faculty members and experts to explore new methodologies, share best practices, and strengthen professional connections across the globe. The Wharton School, renowned for its analytical rigor and commitment to societal impact, aimed to facilitate deeper connections within its global faculty network through a virtual experience that closely simulated an in-person gathering. To achieve this goal, Wharton partnered with Gatherly, a platform known for its ability to recreate a life-like event environment.
This case study examines how Gatherly’s unique virtual setting enhanced networking outcomes, fostered meaningful connections, and ultimately contributed to the success of the Wharton Global Faculty Development Program.
Objectives of the Event
The Wharton Global Faculty Development Program was organized as part of Wharton’s commitment to equip leaders with both analytical and interpersonal skills, driving societal progress through education. The primary objectives of the event were:
1. Encouraging Interdisciplinary Collaboration: To provide faculty with a platform to connect, share ideas, and explore potential collaborative projects across disciplines.
2. Building Professional Networks: To help participants establish or strengthen professional relationships that could support academic and industry initiatives globally.
3. Developing Leadership for Societal Progress: To promote the development of well-rounded leaders who would contribute positively to society by leveraging Wharton’s analytical insights.
In support of these goals, Wharton sought a platform that could simulate a live networking environment, allowing participants to have spontaneous, authentic conversations, thus making the virtual experience as impactful as an in-person gathering.
Why Gatherly?
In a crowded field of virtual event platforms, Gatherly stood out to Wharton for its capability to create a dynamic and engaging online environment. Unlike conventional video conferencing tools, Gatherly allows users to move freely between virtual spaces, mimicking the fluidity of a live networking event. This feature was instrumental in creating an experience that enabled organic, meaningful interactions among participants.
Key Reasons for Choosing Gatherly:
● Life-like Interaction: Gatherly’s unique format allows users to navigate different “rooms” freely, much like walking through an in-person networking event. This feature fostered natural conversations and helped participants connect on their own terms.
● Deeper Connections: By eliminating the rigidity of typical virtual conferencing layouts, Gatherly enabled participants to initiate conversations without predefined restrictions, promoting a more immersive experience.
● Enhanced Engagement: With approximately 50 participants, Gatherly’s interface provided the ideal scale for both one-on-one conversations and larger group discussions, ensuring all attendees could engage meaningfully without feeling overwhelmed.
Event Execution and Highlights
The Wharton Global Faculty Development Program commenced with a brief welcome session, where participants were oriented on using the Gatherly platform effectively. After the introduction, participants were encouraged to navigate through different virtual spaces where topic-specific discussions were held. Key highlights included:
● Topical Rooms for Specialized Discussions: Wharton set up designated areas within Gatherly’s interface focused on specific academic topics, allowing faculty to connect over shared interests. This structure enabled participants to easily locate and engage with colleagues working in similar fields, from finance and economics to behavioral science and business ethics.
● Spontaneous Networking Opportunities: One of the most successful aspects of the event was the opportunity for spontaneous interactions, which were encouraged by Gatherly’s flexible layout. Participants could move seamlessly between conversations, initiating connections based on genuine interest rather than rigid scheduling.
● Leadership and Societal Impact Panel: A key moment of the event was a panel discussion on leadership and societal impact, led by senior faculty members. Gatherly’s tools for real-time participation allowed attendees to pose questions, join breakout discussions, and engage with panelists dynamically, enhancing both the flow of ideas and the depth of insights shared.
Overall, the structure of the event, combined with Gatherly’s features, allowed for a highly interactive experience that led to robust networking and meaningful relationship-building.
Participant Feedback
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many noting that Gatherly’s layout contributed significantly to the event’s success. Key points highlighted by attendees included:
● Ease of Connection: Many participants appreciated Gatherly’s intuitive navigation, which enabled them to join conversations effortlessly and make meaningful connections without navigating complicated menus.
● Life-like Feel: Gatherly’s free-movement functionality was frequently praised for making the virtual space feel lively and natural, much like a physical event. This feature facilitated more authentic interactions, as participants felt in control of their networking journey.
● Facilitated Collaboration: Attendees valued the ability to easily locate and join topic-specific discussions, which facilitated focused and relevant conversations, leading to numerous collaborative ideas and initiatives for future research.
One participant remarked, “This experience on Gatherly was closer to a live networking event than anything I’ve experienced before online. It was refreshing to have the freedom to move around and meet colleagues in such an organic way.”
Outcomes and Impact
The Wharton Global Faculty Development Program successfully met its objectives, thanks in large part to Gatherly’s platform, which enabled a level of interaction that traditional virtual events often fail to provide. The key outcomes of the event included:
● Strengthened Professional Networks: Participants left the event with new contacts and potential collaborators, fostering an interconnected network of Wharton faculty that spans disciplines and geographical locations.
● Enhanced Collaboration Prospects: The focused discussions led to a number of collaborative ideas, with faculty members planning joint research projects, cross-departmental initiatives, and proposals for future events.
● Reinforced Leadership Development: The interactive sessions contributed to Wharton’s mission of developing well-rounded leaders. Through these discussions, faculty were better equipped to apply Wharton’s analytical expertise in ways that promote societal progress, extending the event’s impact beyond the day itself.
Conclusion
The Wharton Global Faculty Development Program, hosted on Gatherly, exemplified how virtual platforms can be used to replicate—and even enhance—the dynamics of in-person networking. By leveraging Gatherly’s interactive and flexible design, Wharton was able to facilitate meaningful connections and provide faculty members with a life-like networking experience that aligns with its mission of fostering societal progress through analytical expertise.
The event’s success highlights Gatherly’s value as a virtual platform for academic institutions looking to strengthen their global networks and drive impactful collaboration. As Wharton continues to expand its reach and influence, Gatherly will undoubtedly remain a valuable tool in its ongoing efforts to build a community of forward-thinking leaders ready to tackle society’s most pressing challenges