In the final blog in our three-part series, we will examine some benefits a virtual events platform can offer your organization:
•Virtually Unlimited Reach: Exhibitors and organizers are continuously trying to expand the reach of their events and engage larger audiences. Digital events make this goal much more attainable by allowing promoters and exhibitors to share the link to their events through digital avenues and social media networks. With the removal of geographical barriers and without having to travel (especially across countries), anyone from anywhere throughout the globe can attend and participate in your events. And since virtual events are hosted online, organizers have a myriad of options in selecting how to broadcast their events.
•Save Big on Costs: A major benefit for organizers is a substantial reduction in costs. Without the need of having to pay for the venue fees, event staff wages, logistics expenses, setup and takedowns, accommodation, meals and such, organizers can lower their overheads by 50-70%. For events such as international conferences, organizers will no longer have to pay for the travel, accommodation and meals of their speakers, panelists and participants.
•Save Big on Time: Since the event is online, planners will save time for themselves, their staff and their attendees. Although setting up a digital event will require some setup time, it is significantly less than that of physical events. Moreover, virtual events completely eliminate travel times – which allows organizers to focus their attention on other tasks such as setting up the website, registration, promotions and online marketing; all activities which will help boost the reach and engagement of the event.
•Easier Networking: Without having to navigate through a convention hall or wait in line to grab the attention of a booth exhibitor during in-person events, digital events allow participants to engage and interact with exhibitors, fellow visitors and organizers much more quickly and smoothly. With everything being online, participants can easily take down and manage vital information, sales leads, contact details and more via their devices. What’s more, virtual events also present a safe space for individuals who have a tendency of being shy at in-person events by offering them the avenue for interacting at their own speed and in groups that are more well-matched to their levels of comfort.
•Boost Exhibitor Value and Visibility: Virtual events have the added bonus of being rewatchable, which gives an added layer of value for those who have trouble attending two sessions or panels that are simultaneously taking place. Exhibitors and organizers are also able to make available sales decks, presentation slides, and other such content on-demand and accessible at all times. With content being available 24/7, your visitors now have the opportunity to enjoy viewing sessions they have missed out whenever they want, however many times they want.
•AI-Powered Matchmaking: State-of-the-art matchmaking algorithms are better able to understand what attendees want from an event and able to locate the most suitable matches for them at the event. The AI will also be able to provide attendees with a recommended list of relevant matches based on their criteria even before the event begins, enabling them to zero in on who they actually wish to schedule meetings and engage with online beforehand.
•Collecting Feedback: Organizers are all too aware of the importance of obtaining feedback for their events. However, this is easier said than done in real life events as attendees are constantly on the move and very hard to pin down to participate in surveys and polls. As everyone is online during a digital event, it is much easier to obtain their feedback through a series of notifications, popups, reminders and survey questionnaires. This information is vital in helping organizers gauge how well their sessions were, which booths are in need of improvement, and what features would they like to see added or enhanced – all of which contribute to gauging the success of the event and are useful in allowing the organizer to improve future events.
•Measuring Results: Virtual events offer organizers the opportunity to track and capture audience data throughout all points of the event in ways that would be incredibly tough to pull off during in-person events. With the platform’s integrated artificial intelligence and analytics capabilities, organizers will get to glean all sorts of useful insights such as attendee interests and intents, number of meetings booked, pre-event information, as well as metrics such as chats, shares, clicks, views, leads, attendance and more. All of this will allow organizers to better understand their audience, make improvements for future events and craft targeted and personalized marketing content.
A Splash into Virtual Event & Engagement Platforms (Part 3)
