However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Virtual events continue to thrive and have become an essential part of our lives, helping keep engagement amongst event audiences high, in companion to in-person events.
Virtual events provide unique opportunities that would not be possible at an in-person event, such as reaching a global audience without unnecessary travel and allowing for interactive experiences through various digital tools. They also offer cost savings for both event organisers and participants, making it more accessible for smaller companies or individuals to attend and host events.
So why do people think Virtual Events are dead?
One of the main reasons for this misconception is that many people associate virtual events with traditional webinars or online meetings. While those types of virtual events do exist (and can very much be considered a “virtual event”, they only scratch the surface of what virtual events truly entail.
Watch Event Advice Video
Matt & Will discuss this topic in our latest episode of the Event Advice video series.
What is a Virtual Event?
Virtual events can range from large-scale conferences and trade shows to small networking sessions and workshops. They offer a wide variety of interactive experiences such as live-streaming, virtual booths, and networking opportunities through chat rooms and video calls. Virtual events are not limited by physical barriers, making them highly accessible to anyone with an internet connection.
What are the benefits of Virtual Events?
- Cost savings: As mentioned earlier, virtual events can save both event organisers and participants money by eliminating travel expenses. This makes it easier for smaller businesses or individuals to participate in or host events.
- Global reach: Virtual events allow for a wider audience reach as location is no longer a barrier. This opens up new opportunities for collaboration and engagement with people from different parts of the world.
- Flexibility: Unlike traditional in-person events, virtual events offer flexibility in terms of time and location as well as last-minute speaker changes. Participants can attend from the comfort of their own home or office and have the ability to access content on-demand post event.
- Increased engagement: With interactive features such as live Q&A sessions, polls, and surveys, virtual events can provide a higher level of engagement for attendees. It also allows for real-time feedback and data collection.
- Accessibility and inclusivity: Virtual events reduce physical barriers such as accessibility for those with disabilities or financial constraints. This can make them more inclusive and diverse compared to in-person events.
What makes a successful Virtual Event?
Just like in-person events, the key to a successful virtual event is planning and execution. Here are some important factors to consider:
- Engaging content: Just like in-person events, virtual events need to have compelling and relevant content that will keep attendees interested and engaged.
- User-friendly platform: The virtual event platform needs to be user-friendly and easy to navigate. It should also offer interactive features for engagement as well as technical support for both organisers and participants.
- Networking opportunities: Despite the lack of physical presence, virtual events can still provide networking opportunities through various digital tools such as chat rooms or video calls.
- Promotion and marketing: A successful virtual event requires effective promotion and marketing strategies to attract the desired audience. This can include targeted social media campaigns, Linkedin Live events to gain a wider reach as well as collaborations with industry influencers or industry partners and sponsors.
- Post-event engagement: Just because the event is over doesn’t mean the engagement has to stop. Virtual events can offer on-demand content for participants to access after the event as well as opportunities for continued networking and discussions through digital platforms.
Event Advice by CrowdComms
Watch our full series of Event Advice videos over on YouTube covering topics such as:
Virtual and Hybrid Events Platform
Virtual events are not dead but rather evolving into a new era of hybrid events. While in-person events will always have their place, virtual and hybrid events offer unique opportunities and benefits that cannot be ignored.
Virtual and Hybrid Events provide a cost-effective, flexible, and inclusive solution for event organisers and participants alike. So don’t count out virtual events just yet, as they continue to reinvent the way we connect and engage with one another.
Contact the CrowdComms team, to learn more about how we can help you plan and host a successful virtual or hybrid event for your business.
