Virtual events bring people together online to interact in a virtual, online space rather than a physical location. Such events include online experiences, virtual conferences, and live streams. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when businesses had to adapt and work remotely, these types of events thrived. And, statistics indicate that their popularity is not diminishing now that we’re back at work either.
LinkedIn reported that 45% of future business-to-business events will be virtual. The survey found that 72% of businesses will continue to use virtual events in the long run. According to its survey of 200 B2B event organisers in the UK and Ireland. So, it makes sense to get onboard.
The Benefits
The main benefit to hosting virtual events is that people from across the globe can attend without it becoming a logistical nightmare. They ensure that distance does not interfere with growing professional relationships and extend geographic reach, promote diversity and reach of sponsors. Online events are not restricted like a physical company away-day for example, that’s limited to one or two days.
When it’s virtual, the interaction can be journey together, it can happen often on a weekly and monthly basis, which is incredibly beneficial for staff relationships, as well as organisational goals. Keeping everyone on the same page to learn and engage with their common interest no matter where you are, and without any time limitations.
It’s also very convenient and cost effective to run a virtual event over a physical one. You’ll be using your existing work tools like the laptop or smartphone with web cam.
Types Of Virtual Events
Hybrid events are popular and involve a mix of live and virtual components. Companies can share important updates and communicate efficiently by hosting a hybrid event. An interactive webinar could be streamed as part of the in-person event or a webcast could be broadcast. To deliver a consistent learning experience, summits or exhibitions can also arrange virtual breakout sessions or activities.
While, virtual conferences or summits will include more than one stream or element, there may be Q&A sessions, downloadable opportunities, guest speakers, panels, passive watching, as well as live participant activity.
Webcast events allow the host to stream content to a full audience either live or on-demand. Social media platforms do this well with the use of hashtags. Creating your own for an event will unite your audience and allow you to track conversations throughout the event. Facebook Live works well for this and you’ll then have a video after the event to further grow your audience through avenues such as YouTube.
Webinars are popular with training and sales training programmes. They are interactive, allow for multiple speakers, and are usually recorded and downloadable.
Additionally, podcasts are growing in popularity because you can listen on the go, learn from experts, and support small, new businesses. You can pause and replay podcasts at your convenience. And, they allow us to take a break from our screens and learn on the move.
Final Thoughts
Virtual events aren’t just for business objectives, many companies use video platforms like Zoom and Webex to arrange social get togethers for team building. Quizzes, game shows, virtual drinks, remote dinner parties, even virtual karaoke are all fun, hugely popular virtual events.
In short, they help promote inclusivity, expand audience reach, require very little budget, help grow and maintain relationships and provide an arena for those with common ground to unite and learn wherever you are in the world.
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