Over the last few months, we’ve seen the number of virtual events rise exponentially as a result of the ongoing pandemic. Because companies and employees can’t meet in person, hosting events online is the next best thing — and can even add more value than in-person events. While we still crave the social aspect of networking and meeting in person, virtual events still have a lot to offer and you may want to consider attending one to see what they’re all about. Plus, 93% of event marketers plan to continue investing in virtual events in the future, so they might be here to stay.
If you’re still not convinced, here are a few benefits of attending a virtual event:
Networking
At a live event, you may be limited to how much time and which groups you’re able to connect with but at a virtual event, attendees are encouraged to participate in chat rooms during presentations and in virtual meeting rooms before and after. You have more freedom to decide who you’d like to chat with and will likely have the opportunity to join a follow-up discussion group or set up a private chat room to continue the conversations. Most likely, there will even be tables set up that are assigned different interests, for example, pets, Netflix watchers, travel, etc., and this can help break the ice when you first get started.
Connect With a Diverse Group
Many in-person events have a cap on the number of attendees, but for virtual events, there is much more flexibility to include more participants. This means that you’ll likely be able to connect to people you may not have had the chance to meet at a live event and you can diversify your networking circle. Events that were industry-specific in the past have now opened up to a larger audience, encouraging newcomers and those who have previously expressed interest in attending, to join in. Connecting with others from different backgrounds might even inspire a new idea for you to take back to your own role.
Join the Meeting From Anywhere
Gone are the days of having to rush to an event during or after the workday — at least for now. With virtual events, you can log in from anywhere, giving you the freedom to attend meetings hosted from across the country or even the globe. This is a huge benefit to virtual events because when your location is no longer a limiting factor, the opportunity for learning from and connecting with industry experts around the world is endless.
Allows More Employees To Participate
While there are still some virtual events that come at a price, many have significantly reduced or eliminated the regular cost. This means that there is a smaller expense for your company and more employees can attend. This is especially helpful if it’s a training seminar or a panel relating to your industry. And, if more employees are learning more and networking, they can bring those new skills back to the rest of your team.
Even once we return to live events, virtual events may still be here to stay. If you haven’t yet, we recommend trying one out to see how it goes. And, if you do, remember to keep an open mind, minimize outside distractions, and connect with as many other attendees as you can.
