Virtual Events

How to Effectively Use Data from your Virtual Event

2021/02/08

While the shift to virtual events in 2020 was challenging, event planners quickly discovered loads of useful data that a digital format can provide. More than physical events, virtual events provide organizers unprecedented insight into attendee demographics and behaviour. This information can be used to create bigger and better future events. But this data is only useful if you know what to collect and how to analyze it. Event and Session Attendance Your virtual event platform enables you to see…
Savvy Swag Bag Items that will Thrill Online Event Attendees

2021/02/08

Who doesn’t love free stuff? Other than printed collateral and overly branded products, most people welcome giveaways. And the cooler and more usable the gift, the greater lasting impression it will have on event attendees. Here are five items to consider including in the ever-popular swag bag, which has become an increasingly critical way to connect with registrants as events have moved online. Headphones or Earbuds Headphones or earbuds are handy for listening to seminars, they can be used long…
Leveraging Content Beyond your Virtual Event

2021/01/25

Good event content has always been valuable for attendees but it seems even more so with virtual events. A new poll by Eventsforce shows 70 per cent of organizers are spending extra time and money producing high-quality sessions and presentations in order to engage more effectively with people online. And this makes sense. The serendipity of networking at in-person events can’t be replicated in a virtual environment, so attendees will naturally focus on the learning aspect. But the benefits don’t…
How to Drive Online Engagement with Gamification

2021/01/25

Virtual events aren’t a new concept but they have stepped into the limelight because of COVID, and it’s clear they’re here to stay. Grand View Research projects the virtual events market will increase 10-fold over the next decade, to be valued at $774 billion US. The most innovative event planners are already adapting and working to perfect this medium. Their goal, of course, is to ensure attendees are engaged and satisfied, especially from home. The Challenges of Going Virtual Online…
How the Internet may be Hurting your Virtual Event

2021/01/11

Working from home became an unexpected reality during the pandemic. Like most, I upgraded our Internet connection after making the transition to ensure everyone in my household could continue to make video calls, watch Netflix and browse the web without interruption. As the events industry moved online, more thought was given to networking technology than ever imagined as planners and producers struggled to manage Internet traffic. In an ideal world, everyone would have enough Internet at their disposal and it…
10 Ways to Improve your Nonverbal Communication during a Virtual Meeting

2020/12/07

At the start of the pandemic, businesses rushed to move their in-person meetings and events online. The transition was so abrupt that many organizations did so without understanding, acknowledging or discussing the ins and outs of virtual meeting etiquette with their teams. In our digital-friendly age, it may be hard to imagine virtual meetings require such formalities, especially when they can feel as natural as speaking to someone in the same room. But it’s important to treat virtual meetings with…
Lessons Learned from Moving a Massive In-Person Event Online

2020/11/17

Taking the well-oiled machine that is Cvent CONNECT and transforming it into an entirely new experience wasn’t easy. From the initial pivot to getting buy-in, strategically designing the event to new technology considerations, Cvent’s director of meetings and events, Rachel Andrews, and senior manager of meetings and events, Paulina Curto, share lessons learned from moving the world’s largest event technology and hospitality conference online. The Digital Pivot While pre-event risk conversations occurred back in 2019, the decision to go virtual…
Do You Need Virtual Event Insurance?

2020/11/04

With more events making the switch to virtual, event organizers are having to deal with a whole new set of risks. Many of the factors involved in running in-person events still apply but there are others that you may not have considered. One area that’s often overlooked is insurance. So, I spoke with experts at Event Insurance Services Ltd. Here’s what you should know before taking your next event online. Insurance Coverage Traditional events have always required comprehensive insurance policies.…
The Real Cost of Hosting a Webinar

2020/10/20

One of the first (and most important) questions people ask when exploring webinar options is, how much will it cost? Understanding the expenses associated with a webinar is key to being able to project and manage your return on investment. Webinar Platform The most obvious cost associated with running a webinar is the platform. Some simple platforms are free up to a certain number of attendees, while more advanced technologies typically require that you pay a monthly or annual fee…
How Best to Monetize your Online Event

2020/09/01

Now almost six months into the worldwide pandemic, most businesses have pivoted from in-person gatherings to virtual events. But despite more people than ever using online platforms, companies continue to struggle with monetization, which may be essential to their survival amid the economic chaos wrought by COVID-19. While there are a variety of methods to earn income from virtual events — ticket sales, paid access to selective streams and upgrades for premium session content, to name a few — perhaps…