2020 resulted in an upheaval of events all due to the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic. The unforeseen advent of coronavirus has affected almost all nations across the world. To prevent the transmission of the virus, restrictions have been imposed on public gatherings and travelling. Nations have gone under lockdown scenarios to prevent the public from the impact of the deadly virus. It resulted in a complete stop to live physical events. Events planned up for the entire year either got postponed or cancelled. Organisations around the world have no other option rather than leveraging virtual event technology. Right from organising recurring meetings, conferences, trade shows, exhibitions, product launches, etc. a comprehensive virtual event platform serves all. To ensure the success of the online event, the right virtual event planning, strategy, and leveraging the right technology is a must.
Today, a number of virtual event platforms are coming up on the internet on a daily basis. As virtual events have skyrocketed in 2020, the massive competition between digital event platforms has been on. Virtual event planners are searching for the best platforms to transform physical events into a visually rich digital environment. A virtual event format is one of the effective formats that worked well in these pandemic times. However, it ensured the safety of clients and the workforce by allowing them to be part of the event remotely.
Why Virtual Events?
Virtual events enable attendees to access an event from the comfort of their own space without having to travel. Virtual events are here to stay and undoubtedly is the future of the event industry. It has been anticipated that about 60% of industries will pivot to online virtual events in the near future. Effective virtual event planning and selecting the best virtual event platform is the key to ensure a successful event.
Nowadays, event planners are juggling with selecting the best platform to host a successful virtual event. The questions revolving around what is the best virtual event platform? has been trending on the internet today. There is no specific answer to this question. The best platform depends entirely on the needs and requirements of a particular business or organisation. For every industry, the best digital event platform is different. For instance, hosting a virtual conference and a virtual product launch are two different events that require different sets of features. The platform that offers customisable services is counted amongst the best virtual event platforms. In short a platform that offers engaging features, robust chat capabilities, high tech security, and data trackability, always remains the first choice. In this post, we have listed a few tips for selecting the best virtual event platform for your event. Have a look:
Tips for Selecting the Best Virtual Event Technology
Virtual events are not just restricted to online seminars known as webinars. Right from online meetings, conferences, trade shows, product launches, or any physical event hosted on a virtual event platform in a digital environment is known as virtual events. In short, virtual events are defined as an online event hosted on a web-based platform which involves a gathering of people over the web instead of gathering in-person. It enables attendees to have 1:1 or group interactions with speakers, hosts, sponsors, and other attendees in real-time.
Virtual events attract global attendees and enable them to access the event from wherever they are. With virtual events, you can host ample numbers of attendees without any geographical restrictions or space limitations. Moreover, selecting the platform that offers no audience capping feature enables you to host limitless attendees seamlessly. Apart from audience capping, there are various features you need to look upon while selecting the virtual event platform.
Event Planners: Questions to Ask Virtual Events Service Provider
Some general questions virtual event planners need to ask virtual event service providers are:
- How will virtual attendees register?
- How to engage virtual attendees?
- Can we have social media integration for virtual events?
- How many sessions can we host?
- Does the platform offer gamification or other engagement features?
- How will the exchange of information take place?
- How to maximise ROI?
- Will I have a detailed analytics report of an event?
- Is the platform compatible with both mobile and desktop?
- Will the platform enable you to have both live and pre-recorded presentations or not?
- Does the platform allow a two-way flow of communication?
- Will the platform enable you to control event attendees or not?
By asking these general questions, event planners can decide upon whether their preset goals are achievable by a particular platform or not. We have listed a few tips that virtual event planners should take into account while choosing the best virtual event platform. To know, scroll down:
#1. Look for the Robust Chat Capabilities
Select a platform that offers robust chat capabilities that enables attendees to connect and network virtually. It enables virtual attendees to have free-flowing conversations via live audio/video/text functionalities in real-time. The live chat features facilitate attendees to interact with hosts, speakers, virtual booths representatives, and other attendees seamlessly, thus delivering immersive virtual event experiences. In short choose a platform that offers networking tools & features to event attendees.
#2. Engaging Features are a Must to Have
A virtual event planner must have a look at engagement features offered by the platform before finalising one. Engaging attendees with virtual events is quite tricky when compared to in-person events. Attendees access the virtual event via screen. Elongated speeches or presentations will bore them. As a result, they will turn off the devices and leave as soon as they tuned-in. Additionally, incorporating engaging features amid sessions is a must to keep attendees engaged with the event throughout. Look for a virtual event platform that enables you to organise live polls, surveys, Q&A sessions, games, quizzes, contests, etc to level up the engagements at virtual events.
#3. Valuable Data Tracking or Digital Footprinting
Go with the platform that tracks every digital attendee move right from the registration process till the event ends. Data trackability feature, helps in keeping a record of every attendee move right from how they registered? How they navigated throughout the event? What they shared? Virtual booths they interacted with? What they liked, commented, and shared? And so on. It helps in creating a detailed analytics report that helps in measuring performance metrics. Additionally, it helps in knowing the pitfalls to work upon for the next event. In short digital footprinting is an amazing feature of a hybrid and virtual event platform that you should not miss out.
#4. Select a Secure Virtual Event Platform
Security is the major concern while hosting virtual events as there is an exchange of information that might be confidential. Do a little research before selecting a virtual event platform. Go with a platform that is reliable and is built on a safe and secure foundation. Such platforms restrict the third party authorization to access the event. In short keeping your privacy intact in a safe and secure digital environment.
#5. Backed by 24*7 Support
The platform that offers 24*7 support is the one to select for organising virtual events. It enables attendees to ask for minor technical support at the time of the digital event. 24*7 Tech support offered by the platform resolves minor issues faced by the attendees. However, it allows attendees to fully concentrate on the event and have immersive event experiences.
The above-mentioned tips will help you to select the best virtual event platform, thus ensuring a successful virtual event.
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