101 on Virtual events
Posted on | by Liz Trumper
Virtual events are events that take place entirely online or in a digital format, rather than in a physical location. These events can include a wide range of activities, such as webinars, conferences, trade shows, product launches, and networking events, all of which are hosted using digital platforms and tools.
Virtual events can take many different forms, depending on the goals of the organizers and the needs of the attendees. They can be fully pre-recorded or live-streamed, and can incorporate a variety of interactive features like chat rooms, Q&A sessions, polls, and breakout rooms to engage attendees and promote interaction.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in virtual events as an alternative to in-person gatherings, but virtual events were already growing in popularity due to the convenience and accessibility they offer. They allow people to attend from anywhere in the world, reduce travel costs and environmental impact, and can provide a more personalized and immersive experience through the use of technology.
So what can virtual events look like?
Webinars
A virtual webinar is an online event that allows participants to attend and interact with a presenter or a panel of speakers in a virtual environment. Webinars are typically focused on a specific topic or theme and can be used for a variety of purposes, such as education, training, marketing, and lead generation.
Virtual webinars can include live or pre-recorded presentations, interactive features such as polls and surveys, and Q&A sessions. Participants can attend the webinar from anywhere with an internet connection and can interact with the presenters and other attendees through chat or messaging features.
Virtual webinars are often used by businesses, non-profits, and educational institutions as a way to engage with their audience and share knowledge, expertise, or information. They are particularly useful for remote or distributed teams and can help save time and costs associated with travel and in-person events. Virtual webinars can also be recorded and shared for on-demand viewing, allowing participants to access the content at their convenience.
Virtual Conferences
A virtual conference is an online event that allows attendees to participate in sessions, panels, and keynote speeches from anywhere with an internet connection. Virtual conferences can include live or pre-recorded sessions, virtual exhibit halls, and networking opportunities.
Similar to physical conferences, virtual conferences are typically organized around a central theme or topic and can span multiple days. They can include keynote speeches, breakout sessions, panel discussions, and Q&A sessions. Virtual conferences can also include virtual exhibit halls where attendees can browse and interact with exhibitors and their products or services.
Virtual conferences are becoming increasingly popular as more and more people work remotely and seek digital solutions for networking, learning, and engagement. They offer a flexible and cost-effective alternative to traditional in-person conferences and can help reach a wider audience from different geographic locations. Virtual conferences can also be recorded and shared for on-demand viewing, allowing attendees to access the content at their convenience.
Virtual Trade Show Stands
A virtual trade show stand is a digital representation of a company’s physical trade show booth that can be accessed online from anywhere in the world. It is essentially a virtual space where a company can showcase its products or services and interact with attendees in a digital format.
A virtual trade show stand can take many different forms, depending on the platform used and the needs of the company. Some virtual trade show stands may be simple web pages that showcase the company’s products and services, while others may be more interactive and include features like live video streaming, chat rooms, and virtual product demos.
Attendees can access virtual trade show stands from their own devices, such as computers, smartphones, or tablets. They can browse the virtual stand, view product information and videos, and interact with company representatives through live chat, video conferencing, or other digital communication tools.
Virtual trade show stands are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to physical trade shows, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when many in-person events have been cancelled or postponed. They offer many of the benefits of a physical trade show, such as lead generation and networking opportunities, but without the need for travel or in-person contact.
Virtual Networking Events
A virtual networking event is an online gathering that allows attendees to connect and engage with each other in a virtual environment. These events are designed to promote networking, relationship-building, and collaboration among professionals from different industries and backgrounds.
Virtual networking events can take many forms, such as speed networking sessions, virtual happy hours, and interactive games or challenges designed to promote networking and relationship-building. They can also include presentations or panel discussions on industry-specific topics or trends, and offer attendees the opportunity to ask questions and share their expertise.
Virtual networking events can be organised by businesses, professional organizations, or individuals, and can be tailored to specific industries or niches. They can be held on a regular basis, such as weekly or monthly, and can also be used as a way to introduce attendees to potential partners or clients.
Virtual Product Launches
A virtual event launch is a digital event that is hosted to promote the launch of a new product, service, or brand. The goal of a virtual event launch is to generate excitement and interest around the new offering and to provide attendees with an immersive and engaging experience that showcases its key features and benefits.
A virtual event launch can take many different forms, depending on the needs and goals of the organizer. It can include pre-recorded or live presentations, product demos, expert panels, interactive games or challenges, and more. The event can be hosted on a range of digital platforms, such as a dedicated event website, social media channels, or a virtual event platform.
The virtual event launch can be promoted through various marketing channels, such as email campaigns, social media posts, and paid advertising. Attendees can register for the event in advance and receive reminders and updates leading up to the launch.
During the event, attendees can participate in various activities, such as Q&A sessions, live chat with experts and other attendees, and interactive product demos. The event can be designed to create a sense of excitement and anticipation, with special offers or incentives for attendees who take part.
A virtual event launch can be a highly effective way to reach a wide audience and generate interest around a new product, service, or brand. It offers many of the benefits of an in-person event, such as the opportunity to network and build relationships, while also providing the convenience and accessibility of a digital format.
Virtual Team Building Events
Virtual team building events are online activities designed to foster team cohesion and build relationships among remote or distributed teams. These events can include a variety of interactive and engaging activities that help team members connect and bond with each other, despite being physically apart.
Virtual team building events can take many forms, such as online games, quizzes, scavenger hunts, virtual escape rooms, and other collaborative activities that require teamwork and communication. These events can also include social activities, such as virtual happy hours, cooking classes, and fitness classes, that help team members connect on a more personal level.
The goal of virtual team building events is to create a sense of community and togetherness among team members, as well as to enhance team collaboration and communication. These events can help remote or distributed teams overcome the challenges of working in a digital environment, such as isolation, lack of face-to-face communication, and disconnection from the team culture.
Overall, virtual team building events offer a fun and engaging way to bring remote teams together, build relationships, and improve team performance. They can help improve morale, reduce turnover, and increase productivity, all while creating a positive and supportive team culture.
Virtual Immersive Events
Immersive events are events that provide attendees with a fully immersive experience that stimulates the senses and transports them to another environment. They are events that aim to create a multisensory experience that fully engages attendees, providing them with a sense of presence in the event environment.
Immersive events can take many forms, from experiential activations, installations, and performances to fully immersive theatrical productions, live-action role-playing games, and virtual reality experiences. They typically use a range of technologies and techniques to create a sense of immersion, including lighting, sound, projection mapping, and special effects.
The goal of an immersive event is to create an environment where attendees feel fully immersed in the experience, with a heightened sense of presence and a feeling of being transported to another world. The level of immersion can vary, from events that simply create a visually stimulating environment to events that incorporate a range of sensory experiences, such as touch, taste, and smell.
Immersive events are designed to provide attendees with a unique and unforgettable experience that goes beyond traditional events and creates a deeper connection between the attendee and the event.
Can VR help sell event spaces too?
Virtual reality can be a powerful tool for selling event spaces as it allows potential customers to experience and explore the space without having to physically visit it. With virtual reality, customers can get a realistic and immersive sense of the size, layout, and ambiance of the space, and can visualise how it would look and feel for their event.
There are a few ways that virtual reality can help sell event spaces:
- Virtual tours: Virtual reality can allow potential customers to take a 360-degree virtual tour of the event space, from the comfort of their own home or office. This can give them a sense of the scale and layout of the space, and can help them visualize how it would look with different seating arrangements, decorations, and lighting.
- Customization: Virtual reality can allow customers to customize the event space to their liking. For example, they can choose different colours and textures for the walls and floors, experiment with different lighting options, and even add in furniture and decor to create a personalized and immersive experience.
- Interactive features: Virtual reality can incorporate interactive features such as pop-up windows with additional information or images, or clickable hotspots that provide more details about specific areas of the space. This can help customers feel more engaged with the space and can provide a deeper level of information that may not be possible with traditional marketing materials.
Overall, virtual reality can help event spaces stand out in a crowded marketplace by providing an immersive and engaging experience that helps potential customers visualize their event and feel confident in their booking decision.
And what about event materials?
Can virtual content revolutionise physical materials at events too? In short, yes!
There are several benefits of using virtual content rather than paper materials before/during/after events:
- Environmentally friendly: Using virtual content eliminates the need for paper, which can help reduce waste and lower the environmental impact of the event. This is particularly important in today’s climate-conscious world where sustainability is a growing concern for many people.
- Cost-effective: Printing paper materials for events can be expensive, particularly for larger events. Using virtual content can help reduce costs associated with printing, shipping, and distributing materials, as well as the cost of storage and disposal.
- Customisation: With virtual content, event organisers can easily customize and update materials on the fly, without the need for re-printing or re-distributing paper materials. This can help ensure that attendees have access to the most up-to-date information and can help reduce the risk of errors or inconsistencies.
- Accessibility: Virtual content can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, which means attendees can access materials from their own devices, such as smartphones, tablets, or laptops. This can help ensure that everyone has equal access to event materials and can help promote greater engagement and participation.
- Interactive features: Virtual content can include interactive features such as videos, animations, and clickable links that can help engage attendees and provide a more immersive experience. This can help increase the impact and effectiveness of event materials and can help promote better retention of information.
What's next?
The future of virtual events is likely to be a combination of both virtual and in-person experiences. While in-person events will always have a unique appeal and offer certain benefits, virtual events have become increasingly popular due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated travel restrictions and social distancing measures.
One advantage of virtual events is that they are more accessible to people who may not have been able to attend in-person events due to geographical, financial, or physical barriers. Virtual events can also be more cost-effective, both for organizers and attendees, as there are no travel or accommodation costs involved.
Virtual events also provide an opportunity for greater interactivity and engagement, as organizers can leverage a range of digital tools to create a more immersive experience. For example, they can use virtual reality or augmented reality to create a more lifelike environment, or they can incorporate live polling, quizzes, and chat functions to encourage participation and engagement.
As we move forward, it’s likely that we’ll see more hybrid events, where virtual attendees can participate alongside in-person attendees, and organizers can leverage both physical and digital elements to create a more engaging and inclusive experience for everyone.