There was a time not long ago when many of us had never attended a true virtual event. Now, with the novelty of modern technologies worn-off and the over saturation of virtual events, event professionals and marketers alike must find new and creative ways to promote their events. While there is increased talk about hybrid events in 2021, 75 per cent of event organizers plan to incorporate technology into their events going forward, no matter the event format. This is…
Video conference call fatigue is real. Today’s virtual attendees are tired of the Brady Bunch squares they interact with daily and are looking for high-quality and to be intrigued when they attend virtual events or trade shows. Few people look at a video conference call and say, “Wow, this is captivating just like broadcast events.” These platforms may be a great tool for peer discussions, family functions or the classroom, but not for a professional presentation of topical information with testing,…
With events primarily taking place from the comfort of people’s homes, the power of our five senses has shifted. It used to be an event producer’s passion to ignite all the senses in calculated ways, at specific times, to entice memory or create action. While we’ll get back to a new version of that eventually, for now we have the digital realm from which to work to deliver content. Because of this, the sense of hearing is among the most engaged…
As stay-at-home orders press on and vaccines are still only available for frontline workers and the most vulnerable, the events industry continues to move ahead in the virtual realm. While many attendees are now used to online events, they are also increasingly prone to burnout and fatigue given the amount of time spent in front of a computer these days. So, how do you stop your audience from zoning out? Until we can offer hybrid options or in-person events once…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
