COVID-19 is forcing everyone indoors and to the confines of their house. Due to this, the events industry faces a huge dilemma in how to keep events running. Thankfully, the rise of virtual event platforms have come to the rescue. Many major events such as ArtBasel Hong Kong and various fashion weeks are choosing to run virtual shows. As more companies make this switch, attendees and partners have begun to get more comfortable with this new technology. Yet the question remains: are virtual events just a fad? Or do we see the future of the events industry possibly transformed?
Check out EventHub’s new Virtual Expo platform here!
Are virtual events here to stay?
With the COVID-19 pandemic still occurring, many companies are considering a hybrid approach to in person events. Some hopes do still lie with having in person activities. But the new digital component to events has excited many event organizers.
Virtual platforms save money.
Many see virtual event platforms working to directly complement in person events. Virtual engagements are a great, budget friendly way to initiate a connection with an attendee. This pushes the eventual in person connection to be that much more valuable.
Virtual Events can maximize user experience.
Not only are virtual events more cost effective, but they are better at maximizing experience. This might sound odd since most attendees are experiencing everything from their living room couch. But it’s important to note, in-person events limit flexibility for both the attendee and event organizer. With a virtual platform, attendees can attend in a way that they’re most comfortable with. This best maximizes user experience.
With all this new technology and innovation, it’s clear the events industry won’t be completely turning back to their old ways. They will use virtual platforms to their benefit.
Virtual event platforms have spurred a new wave of innovation within technology.
The events industry has been growing the use of virtual platforms over the last decade. Virtual marathons specifically have been on the rise even before coronavirus. But since the start of the pandemic, innovation has spiked in adapting to the needs of the events industry. ArtBasel HongKong is a group that switched to digital in a rather interesting way. They allow attendees to enter rooms where they can directly see art pieces and make transactions.
Although the virtual meeting space will never completely replicate the feeling of an in person event, the necessary shift to online platforms that the events industry has taken distinguishes a crucial stage of growth and innovation, especially as we learn about how to maximize user experience during a global pandemic.
As companies like EventHub continue innovating and making virtual event platforms readily accessible to event organizers, partners, and attendees – it is clear that this technology will have a notable role in the events space post COVID-19.
Learn more about how and why EventHub launched their Virtual Expo/Vendor Village!
