Despite the devastating worldwide lockdown, disastrous economy, and chaos everywhere, Covid taught the world a few things that ensured enormous advantages. One of them is the Virtual event services which existed before the pandemic but grew remarkably across the world. As per a study of Statista, VR or the Virtual Reality market which is technologically associated with virtual events has been growing at an incredibly faster pace globally. It is projected that the VR market will reach $ 12 billion in 2024 from less than $ 5 billion in 2021.
Almost everyone in the contemporary world knows about virtual reality or virtual platforms. Virtual Reality is an online and simulated experience that is completely different from or somewhat similar to the real world. Similar to VR, a virtual event is an online presence of participants where they can avail themselves of a sensory experience including sight, hearing, even communicating with other participants. Organisations, businesses, even governments across the nations have been widely using webcast streaming services for the maximum achievement of their objectives. For example, a study reveals that around 45% of people including businesses and organizations in Australia are interested to adopt VR-related approaches after the pandemic.
What Are Virtual Events And Different Types Of Virtual Events?
The simplest answer to understanding a virtual event is an event that is held online. These events are hosted using Virtual event solutions and have the potential for the attendees to participate in the event similar to the off-line or real-life events. The only difference between a virtual and off-line event is that the participants physically participate in an off-line event whereas participants from across the world participate in a virtual event. There are broadly four types of virtual events as mentioned below:
- Virtual conferences or platforms
- Webinars
- Internal hybrid events
- External hybrid events
Where To Host Virtual Events?
Numerous Webcast service providers provide platforms to host virtual events. However, there are several things to consider before choosing the right platform to host your event. Most people select the platform based on the size of the virtual event. For example, small virtual events are usually hosted on platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams. On the other hand, platforms like Filo, Eventcube, Bizzabo, Accelevents, Airmeet, Intrado, Hopin, etc. are chosen for large virtual events that can accommodate 500+ attendees.
Nevertheless, it is not the size or the number of participants that determines the right platform. There are other important factors to consider to determine the appropriate platform for your event. For example, Zoom or Microsoft Teams are more in focus for small events because most organizations already have the license or registration on these platforms. On the other hand, other Virtual event providers offer various packages, solutions, and services. Similarly, the cost is another important factor that is determined by the solutions and services you may require for your virtual events.
What Are The Essential Solutions, Services, And Features You Should Look For Your Virtual Event?
Most people think that an active internet and an appropriate device along with proper software is enough for a virtual event. But it is not true. A virtual event is not just software and goes beyond certain devices and uninterrupted internet connectivity though they are the basic requirements. Hybrid event services provide many complex solutions and features to make the virtual events more useful and successful towards achieving the goal or target of the virtual events.
Therefore, you should know the important virtual solutions, services, and features before selecting a suitable platform for your event. You can also customize the solutions and services while choosing the virtual platform based on your needs. Following are a few areas you must never forget to ensure essential solutions and services for your event.
Virtual Event Site:
A virtual event site or platform is not just software but includes suitable virtual control-room hardware, live streaming efficiencies, and advanced production studios. Another component that plays a critical role in the entire hosting of virtual events is the technical human resource team. It is this team of technocrats that are responsible for navigation and other functionality in the processes of virtual events. So, confirm that the event site or platform has adequate Virtual event services before finalizing the service provider.
End To End Event Management:
Virtual events are not new and have been organized for a long time. So, using the same traditional event management tools for either your online sessions or multi-day virtual conference does not make sense. You need to ensure an advanced mechanism in the management of registrations, invitations, payments, agendas, etc. Besides this, ensure that the tool allows you to collect all the data of your participants in one place.
Ease Of Use:
This is another component that is very important to ensure while choosing the right platform from many webcasting companies. The system should be easy, simple, and user-friendly so that your participants including the speakers and sponsors do not have any complications. Eventually, ease of use will lead to a feeling among the attendees that they have not wasted their time.
Content Delivery:
Your virtual platform must allow streaming both live content as well as pre-recorded content irrespective of the keynote address, panel discussions, debates, etc. Similarly, one of the important Virtual event solutions is the pre-recorded video of your keynote with essential features to edit and update.
Audience Engagement Tools:
Ensure that the virtual event site provides advanced tools incorporating chatrooms, virtual breakout sessions and forums, question and answer sessions, social sharing, live poll33ing, surveys and quizzes, etc. These tools will not only engage the attendees but also prevent diversion of attendees’ attention which is usually called “Zoom Fatigue”.
Remember, most people come to your virtual events not just to learn but to make new connections. So, ensure that the virtual event platform has the feature of live video calls either in a group or one on one basis. However, almost all Virtual event providers in the contemporary world provide these features. You just need to confirm so that your virtual event is successful and useful for your purpose.
