Conference Manager supports webinars through CM Live or an external provider, such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
Both options allow you to manage webinar access through Conference Manager, but they work differently. The main differences are where participants watch the webinar and how the content is produced and managed.
Understanding your options
| CM Live | External provider | |
|---|---|---|
| Where participants watch | Directly on your event website | On the external provider's platform |
| Content production | External RTMP-compatible streaming software | The provider's own tools |
| Chat | Built-in chat, if enabled | Depends on the provider |
| Participant cameras and microphones | Not a two-way video meeting | Depends on the provider and setup |
| Webinar setup | Connect streaming software using a stream server and stream key | Create the webinar with the provider and add its URL to Conference Manager |
| Participant access | Personal webinar link through Conference Manager | Personal webinar link through Conference Manager, leading to the external platform |
- CM Live
- Directly on your event website
- External RTMP-compatible streaming software
- Built-in chat, if enabled
- Not a two-way video meeting
- Connect streaming software using a stream server and stream key
- Personal webinar link through Conference Manager
- External provider
- On the external provider's platform
- The provider's own tools
- Depends on the provider
- Depends on the provider and setup
- Create the webinar with the provider and add its URL to Conference Manager
- Personal webinar link through Conference Manager, leading to the external platform
CM Live – stream directly on your event website
With CM Live, participants watch the webinar directly on your event website in Conference Manager.
You can enable a built-in chat, allowing participants to communicate during the webinar. When setting up the webinar, you can also choose how participants’ names are displayed in the chat.
CM Live provides the viewing experience, but the broadcast itself must be produced using separate streaming software or a streaming provider that supports RTMP.
Think of a live TV broadcast
Imagine a live television news programme.
Behind the scenes, a control room determines what viewers see and hear. It brings together cameras, interviews, presentations, graphics and other content into one broadcast.
CM Live works in a similar way.
Your streaming software can combine live presentations, interviews, screen sharing, slides, graphics and pre-recorded videos, depending on your setup.
Conference Manager does not produce this content. It receives the broadcast and makes it available to participants through CM Live.
How the stream reaches participants
Connecting your streaming software
You can use any compatible RTMP streaming solution. OBS Studio is one example.
When you create a CM Live webinar, Conference Manager provides three things:
Enter the stream server and stream key in your streaming software to connect it to the webinar.
Before going live, use the test URL to check that the connection, sound, video and intended content are working correctly. You can also use it to test the participant experience and join the chat as an administrator.
Related guideOBS Quick Start GuideLearn how to set up OBS Studio and prepare it for streaming.Read the guideWhat does CM Live offer?
CM Live requires a separate streaming setup. Unlike a conventional video meeting, participants cannot simply turn on their cameras and microphones to join the broadcast. Interaction is available through the built-in chat when enabled.
External provider – host your webinar on another platform
With an external provider, such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams, the webinar takes place on the provider’s platform.
You create and manage the webinar or meeting in the external service and then add its webinar URL to Conference Manager.
Participants receive their personal webinar link through Conference Manager and use it to access the external platform.
What does an external provider offer?
The exact features depend on the provider, subscription and webinar setup.
Check how participants access the webinar
External providers may have additional access requirements, such as separate registration, account sign-in, passwords, approval processes or waiting rooms.
These settings can be useful, but they should not unintentionally prevent participants from joining through their Conference Manager webinar link.
Before sharing the webinar link with participants, check the external provider’s access settings and test that the link works as intended.
What both options have in common
Although CM Live and external providers handle the webinar differently, Conference Manager provides several of the same tools for managing participant access and communication.
Conference Manager automatically sends personal webinar links to the relevant participants one hour before the webinar begins.
If participants need their links earlier, you can include them in an email or meeting request.
Conference Manager tracks whether participants open their personal webinar links. Opening a link does not necessarily mean that they watched the webinar or indicate how long they attended.
Ready to get started?
Once you understand the differences between CM Live and external providers, you can create your webinar under The event → Webinar in Conference Manager.
Our step-by-step guide explains how to create a webinar, connect your streaming software or external provider, manage participant access and send personal webinar links.
Related guideCreate and host webinarsLearn how to create webinars in Conference Manager, set up CM Live or connect an external provider, and manage participant access.Read the guide
