Planning a 2022 event looks a lot different than it did before the pandemic. If the global shutdowns taught us anything, it’s the importance of virtual technology. And now, it’s rare for an event to be planned without finding a link to join virtually in the calendar invite.
Just take a look at these virtual event statistics:
- 92% of companies continued to include a virtual component even after in-person events resumed
- 59% of companies plan to invest more money into virtual event technology
- 60% of people have already signed up for two or more virtual events in 2022
Creating a memorable virtual experience equals convenience for attendees, increased attendance, and a positive impression. It demonstrates to attendees that your company can adapt to change and is keeping up with current trends. Whether you’re a fan of virtual events or still on the fence about them, we’re here to confirm that they’re here to stay.
No matter the type of event you’re planning – whether in-person or hybrid – it will benefit you and your organization in the long run to include a virtual experience for attendees.
Here are 5 reasons why every 2022 event needs a virtual component:
Greater Participation and Reach
When an event includes a virtual component, it immediately becomes more accessible. Without it, your audience is limited by where people live, ability and funds to travel, access to transportation, and many other factors that can easily prevent someone from attending in-person. When more people can experience your event from anywhere in the world, you open up the possibility of significantly increasing attendance and who your message can reach.
When you layer a virtual option with your in-person event, you open the doors for huge increases in attendance and engagement. Imagine the number of donations you could receive for a nonprofit fundraising event simply by allowing people to join virtually. And if you’re hosting a paid event like a conference, including a virtual experience also means higher revenue for your organization.
More Powerful Guest Speakers
One thing that makes events more appealing is the lineup of guest speakers. If an event is expected to feature influential, well-known, and knowledgeable speakers, people are much more likely to attend. However, guest speakers come at a cost. Add a virtual component, though, and those costs can be reduced because you no longer have to budget for travel, lodging, and meals. The possibilities expand and you can now feature more powerful guest speakers and lead more impactful breakout sessions during the event.
Better Data and Analytics for Your 2022 Event
Virtual technology features tools that allow you to track data and measure the success of your event. While it’s possible to use ticket sales and registration as success indicators, these aren’t always the most accurate metrics because not every person who purchases or registers will attend. When your event includes a virtual component, you can easily see how many people log on and when they leave the event.
Not only that, but you can also gain insight into your audience’s interests by seeing which event sessions had the most attendees and which ones had the least. This data is extremely powerful because it doesn’t require your attendees to do any additional work. Rather than hoping attendees provide feedback, you can use attendance rates to get a better picture of your audience’s interests and use this knowledge when planning future events.
Expanded Networking Power
Because including a virtual experience means more people can participate, networking power increases tenfold. Attendees can connect with other professionals from all over the world, not just the people in the same geographic area or those who decided to make the trip. The great thing about this is that your guests will always remember when and where they made these meaningful connections. This means they’re now more likely to attend future events because not only is your content valuable, but they’ll leave with a stronger network than before.
Continued Post-Event Engagement
It’s not uncommon for an event or conference to last several hours. Some even span across multiple days. While guests do their best to absorb as much information as possible and take copious notes, they’re likely to miss or forget something. Including a virtual component means guests can simply replay key sessions long after the event has concluded. You can also use this as an opportunity to create downloadable documents and worksheets to complement the event. Having access to the event afterward is especially important for people who can’t attend in-person or virtually due to the event date or time. If someone is seriously interested in your event but can’t attend due to work or personal reasons, they can always watch the replay anywhere, anytime.
Give Your 2022 Event a Virtual Upgrade
Virtual event production can seem like a daunting task, but you shouldn’t plan your 2022 event without a virtual component. Virtual events for companies lead to better participation and accessibility, more powerful guest speakers, more meaningful event analytics, greater possibilities for networking, and continued engagement following the event.
Being able to join an event virtually these days is no longer an exception; it’s the expectation. Virtual event planning takes skill, knowledge, and resources, and we’re here to help.
At Reimagined Experiences, our experiential marketing and digital content creation agency specializes in virtual events and engaging experiences, whether they’re in-person, completely virtual, or a mix of both.
Contact us for a free discovery call, and let’s start planning your 2022 event today!
