Virtual Events
When COVID19 put a wrench in the live event world as we know it, I didn’t embrace virtual events overnight. What works live simply does not always work on a screen or at the same level of impact. You lose the excitement of leaving your home and going to a beautiful venue, experiencing live entertainment, and being wined and dined. So much of what I love about events involved the shared experience and real human connection. Live events are memorable because they invigorate our five senses and that is harder to achieve virtually.
But we can absolutely still create a positive and entertaining user/guest experience. The excitement just now needs to exist in a new capacity and engagement and human connection needs to happen in a more unique and attention grabbing way than ever to avoid compromising on interactivity.
My favorite benefit of virtual events? They meet my green agenda and are one of the most sustainable ways you can host an event. No need for plant based straws, eco friendly event design, recycling and composting bins post event.
According to a study from Birmingham University, a one-day physical event can produce up to 170kg of Co2 and create over 5 tonnes of refuse waste.
Green Benefits of Virtual Events:
You don’t have to consider the logistics of transporting guests to the event - fewer travel miles means less pollution.
International travel can be time consuming, expensive and bad for the environment. By eliminating this step, you are offsetting carbon-intensive traveling.
Airplanes, cars and hotel rooms use a lot more energy than the servers and computers needed to run virtual events. For example with its water usage and the energy costs associated with air conditioning, the hotel industry includes a high use and waste of resources.
Eliminates food, event decor, floral, and any paper product waste.
Beyond The Green Benefits of Virtual Events:
Cost effective depending on the type of event (for example a fundraising event will have more challenges raising the funds they are used to, on a virtual platform. But it can be done!
Global reach - your event can be accessed from any location and you don’t have to compromise on scale.
A strong, recorded virtual event can live online with unlimited potential.
Your event space is your customizable screen and the branding opportunities are endless.
Your event space is available 365 days a year - no need to be strategic to avoid prime event date premiums.
More flexibility for your guests can potentially increase event attendance.
Ability to collect attendance data post event in an easier way than ever that will assist with future marketing communications and event programs. For example, you can see which areas were most attended, which documents and videos most viewed and access a copy of all chats.
You can provide your event attendees relevant follow-up material that shows you have valued their participation at the event.
