How to Host a Webinar at SPU

There are two different methods Faculty and Staff can choose from when planning a webinar without purchasing a standalone Webinar license: the first is using Zoom and Panopto together, the second is to use Microsoft Teams. While there are differences between these two approaches, both are flexible and secure and available at no additional cost to your department.

The other option would be to have your department purchase an annual Zoom Webinar license (~$690/yr as of 2024). If you're interested in purchasing a license, please contact cis-bst@spu.edu and a member of the CIS Business Systems Team will be able to assist you with looking into this option.

Webinar Audience

If your webinar is related to university recruitment and fundraising with an audience outside of SPU then your first step in setting up your webinar is to email Alison Estep in University Communications. Provide as many details about the event as possible including: date, time, media and branding requirements, technology needs, and number of presenters. The UC team will provide guidance and advice to help prepare the event.

If your webinar is related to academics then you can proceed to the next steps in setting up your webinar. You can contact ETM with any questions related to hosting webinars for academic purposes. 

Next Steps

Please follow the guides below for how to setup a webinar:

Hosting a Webinar with Zoom and Panopto

Hosting a Webinar with Microsoft Teams

Additional Information

Best Practices for Preparing and Hosting a Webinar

What is a Webinar?

A webinar is a live video event that is broadcast over the Internet. They can take various forms but most webinars revolve around video of a presenter to a remote audience from anywhere in the world. They may include guests, pre-recorded or streaming video, screen-sharing, and audience interaction. Audience interaction is optional and can include live chat, polls, Q&As, or even inviting audience members to be onscreen.

Why Might You Want to Host a Webinar?

Webinars give individuals, be they faculty, staff, or executives, a platform to present content and connect to a live audience in real-time. During the Coronavirus Pandemic of 2020, it has become increasingly difficult for groups of people to meet in person. Webinars are a great way to connect with a larger audience when meeting in person is not available. Webinars are commonly used to host conferences, special events, concerts, interviews, lectures, etc.