There is no question that virtual events remain the only viable option to give continuity to companies’ event programs. As the market matures, the focus is shifting towards more tangible objectives.
Live events are all about connection. We all know that. Back before the pandemic, brands and publishers were increasingly investing in live events as a way to build their profiles and generate revenue. Sixty-five percent of business-to-business marketers in the professional services industry were hosting conferences by the end of 2019, and 87% believed in-person events were a “critical component” to their company’s success.
Then the pandemic hit. In an instant, live events all but disappeared.
Conferences, seminars, festivals, and leadership courses were postponed, cancelled, or moved to online-only in 2020. Even the Sundance Film Festival was transformed into an almost entirely remote event. Although the virtual events industry grew at a steady clip throughout the year, brands struggled to reproduce what was traditionally one of the most important features of live, in-person events: human connections.
Networking and building connections with other industry leaders was one of the primary reasons why people attended live events before the pandemic. In a world where virtual events have become the norm, brands, publishers, and B2B companies are struggling to reproduce the human connections that people crave in an digital-first environment.
A new startup called Welcome is working on a solution.
Read the full article at: streetfightmag.com
In 2020, virtual events became a necessity. COVID-19 resulted in lockdowns, closures, and strict social distancing requirements, quickly halting all in-person events. Event organizers had to adapt quickly to reimagine their events in a safe virtual space.
Fortunately, virtual platforms have allowed events to continue despite lockdowns. In 2021, people who are growing weary of lockdowns and social distancing need virtual events more than ever before. These events offer attendees an opportunity to connect, learn, and unwind, helping to build connections even when they’re still socially distancing.
Even as COVID-19 restrictions ease, virtual events will continue to be important. In the last year alone, the benefits of virtual events have become clear, and organizers have quickly learned how to run virtual events. While in-person events will be welcomed when conditions allow, virtual events are sure to stick around for these key reasons.
Read the full article at: www.eventbrite.com
With an impressive roster of productions such as the MTV Video Music Awards and MTV Movie & TV Awards, Katy Perry’s debut performance of her single ‘Daisies’ on American Idol, Billie Eilish’s ‘Where Do We Go? The Livestream’ concert, and a number of high-profile E-sports and corporate events, LA-based XR Studios constantly pushes the boundaries of XR technology to new heights. Founded in 2020 and collaborating with Fuse Technical Group for technical and equipment support, XR Studios provides two high-spec LED stages featuring top quality equipment, including Brompton Technology processing and ROE Visual LED panels, and offers a team of expert technologists and bespoke workflows to help bring XR productions to life.
Read the full article at: www.ravepubs.com
Here’s a fun exercise. In your mind, go back to early 2020 and imagine that your organization’s leaders told you this:
An event you’ll be working on at the end of this year will involve multiple in-person meeting sites along with a virtual audience across several time zones; a combination of prerecorded content and live presentations, with a few delivered from remote locations; and some collaboration between the in-person and remote audiences but also separate networking opportunities for each audience.
Read the full article at: www.meetingsnet.com
Virtual events aren’t likely to go away, making this an opportune time to explore what makes a virtual event successful and engaging. To do that, we asked for the help of Live Event Producer Calvin Mitchell, who has over ten years of experience producing all kinds of events, including fashion shows…
Read the full article at: inspirationfeed.com
The fact that video is a great way for brands to connect with their target audience is no secret. In fact, research from HubSpot reveals that 85 percent of businesses use video marketing, while 88 percent of marketers report that this tactic generates a positive return on investment for their company.
But not all video content is created equal. Notably, live video content has seen a significant increase in popularity, and is one video trend that all brands should take note of.
The rise of live video
Live video has become an increasingly popular way of consuming online content — and the numbers prove it. Research from Livestream found that 80 percent of consumers would prefer watching a brand’s live video to reading a blog post, while 82 percent prefer live video to social media content.
Read the full article at: www.entrepreneur.com
Good morning marketers, can virtual events ever recreate the social aspects of in-person shows?
We are social beings. That’s even more evident now that we have been confined to our homes for so long. Nothing can really replace the social aspect of in-person events — the camaraderie, developing business relationships, networking and being able to interact with speakers and sponsors one-on-one in a learning environment. Putting aside airline delays, many people will be excited to get back to in-person events as soon as it’s safe to do so. In fact, they’ve already told us they prefer in-person to virtual.
However, there will continue to be a place for virtual and hybrid events and we still need to find ways to provide more interactivity and networking for attendees that goes beyond a chat Q&A. We’ve seen great success with “community meet-ups” in our shows, where an industry expert moderates a conversation with attendees. And 1:1 networking still has a place in virtual shows. Sure it feels like digital speed dating, but there’s just enough time to trade a few ideas and contact details.
Read the full article at: marketingland.com
Experts share their best advice for organising a successful event online.
In the last few weeks many cancelled events, from concerts to conferences, have been replaced by virtual ones. And in the process, many are realising that moving events online isn’t just about damage control; it actually brings benefits of its own.
“For a start, the reach can be much greater,” notes Olga de Giovanni, global PR and communications manager at marketing and media consultancy Ebiquity. “Our initial webinars, for example, attracted five to 10 times as many participants as we’d typically get, and we reached an international audience too.”
Vinda Souza, VP of global communications at Bullhorn, is also enthused by the possibilities of virtual events. “The fact there’s virtually no barrier to attendance, other than internet access, means there’s capacity to invite way more people,” she says. “Those who couldn’t otherwise afford to travel, be away from their computer, leave overnight and be away from their family, or have mobility concerns, can now attend.”
So how do you make your event a success? In this article, we gather the best advice from both veterans and those who’ve recently joined the party.
Read the full article at: www.creativebloq.com
