Virtual Event Success

Connecting with other like-minded individuals will keep you accountable to completing the tasks necessary to host your virtual event. There are many online associations you can join for free or for a fee to help you on your virtual event journey.

• Association of Virtual Event Managers, Organizers & Hosts
• Association of Virtual Worlds on LinkedIn
• Virtual Edge
• Virtual Event Strategists on Facebook
• Virtual Worlds on LinkedIn

Homework: Decide on which associations or communities you can join to further your knowledge of hosting virtual events.

Did I miss a really great resource that fits the theme of this post? If so, leave the URL in the comments below so others can see it.

I came across a fascinating report by VirtualEdge which found that due to travel restrictions and reductions in show budgets, more and more event producers are adding virtual events and virtual shows to their meeting schedules.

Here are some of the numbers:

• 67% of professionals responsible for traditional physical events report a drop in overall attendance.
• 74% of event producers are concerned about future attendance levels.
• 83% see the need to add virtual elements to their meetings and events.

If you’re an event planner or organizer and you’re feeling the pinch at your events due to low attendance or reduced budgets, you’re not alone. Consider complementing your in-person, face-to-face events with virtual ones so you don’t lose out.

My definition of virtual event is:

“A learning occurrence conducted over the phone or online.”

Now, that defines virtual events, but how does it differ from a definition of virtual trade show, virtual job fair, webcast or virtual meeting?

I was on the Virtual Edge blog and found a wonderful list of definitions for the a variety of learning occurrences conducted over the phone or online. For example, I love the definition provided for virtual trade show:

“A combination of some of the most successful elements of a live trade show collected and translated into a multimedia file format and broadcasted or transmitted on the Internet. Virtual trade shows allow the exhibitors and sponsors to reach their target audience round the clock. Some are run over a short time period (1-3 days usually) and others are open for months.”

There were additional learning occurrences that I wasn’t aware of, such as bannercast and slidecast. Visit the Virtual Edge wiki to view the list of definitions so you can get up to speed on the many learning occurrences you can host virtually.