We are going through uncertain times. There’s a global pandemic that makes in-person events all but impossible in the near future. However, to give up on events altogether is clearly not an option. Event managers are looking for reliable, scalable solutions to host virtual events.
Many have looked to the traditional Webinar platforms or Video Meeting solutions to meet their needs. However, are they enough, or do they need a dedicated Virtual Event platform? Let’s go through the major reasons why we believe that event managers need dedicated Virtual Event apps, or they’ll be selling their events short.
- Virtual Event Apps Scale Up
Free webinar software and video conferencing tools seem to work perfectly when the number of attendees is low.
A virtual event app platform, on the other hand, can be used for events with large (virtual) footfalls. Even if the attendee figure goes up, the platform will continue to work seamlessly. You should try this if you are planning a mega event where thousands, or even tens of thousands of attendees are expected to join.
- Virtual Event Apps Support Multiple Content Tracks & Format
Events have multiple, often simultaneous content tracks, in many formats. Sessions are peppered with Q&As, panels, interviews, etc. No webinar or video conferencing tool allows that. Multiple webinar sessions can be created, but they just increase the confusion.
Virtual Event Platforms allow organizers to create multiple sessions. Attendees can join the virtual lobby and simply choose the one they want to attend.
- Virtual Event Apps are Far More Interactive
Using a video conference software or webinar tool at your events you will allow your attendees to at most participate in live Q&A and polling sessions. But if you wish to expand the scope of the engagement, you need something more powerful as a virtual event platform.
Apart from the default live Q&A and polling features, a virtual event app comes with a social wall of its own. You can set up event-specific social media walls and can select the top attendee image/images to posts on your company’s social media handles.
- Virtual Event Platforms Support Virtual Exhibitor Pavilions
Exhibitors are a core part of most events. They benefit from the marketing and networking opportunities, and organizers gain potential sponsorships. On the other hand, webinar or meeting platforms are not built with exhibitors in mind.
Virtual Event Platforms often come with virtual exhibition capabilities baked in, allowing organizers to provide virtual spaces for sponsors to do almost everything they can at in-person trade shows – showcase collateral, set up meetings, and chat with attendees.
- Virtual Event Platforms make Attendee Networking easy
Do you know what keeps your attendees hooked to your event? It’s engagement.
Video conferencing tools and webinar software have limited engaging capabilities. They don’t allow seamless attendee networking.
If you want your attendees to network in your event, you need a Virtual Event Platform where attendees can browse the guest list, interact with other attendees freely, and stumble upon valuable leads. Only then can a virtual event emulate the serendipitous networking experience of a live event.
- Virtual Event Platforms let Attendees find NEW Content and People
Video conferencing apps and webinar apps are built with a singular focus in mind. Attendees go in knowing what they can expect, and are hardly ever surprised. If they are, it’s usually not a pleasant surprise.
Virtual Event Platforms, on the other hand, allow attendees the joy of discovering a brilliant session, or coming across people who they become amazing friends with. Just like in in-person events! With multiple content tracks, gamification opportunities and networking sessions, Virtual Event Apps allow you to give your attendees an experience worth remembering.
- Virtual Event Platforms are 24/7
Webinars are a limited time only. At most, they go on for a few hours. Only the shortest events are over so soon.
On the other hand, a virtual event app platform gives you the freedom to drive attendee engagement 24×7. It allows you to host events that go round the clock and attendees can join as per their suitable time.
- Virtual Event Platforms have lower Relative Costs
Webinar tools and video conferencing software are cheap – in absolute terms.
However, when you host bigger events with more attendees, the costs quickly pile up. Try conducting an entire events worth of sessions on a Webinar platform, and the cost per attendee becomes daunting.
On the other hand, Virtual Events Platforms have a much lower cost per attendee – something that becomes much more important if you plan to host large events, or multiple events a year.
e2m OnAir is an online and virtual event platform for enterprise conferences and sales training. This platform helps you to collaborate from remote places in real-time even in this age of social distancing, assuring that your show will go on! It comes with features like :
- Live Video Streaming of Sessions
- Live Video Roundtables
- Virtual Trade Show Booth
- Attendee Video Networking
- And much more…
To know more about e2m OnAir, you can schedule a quick demo right here.
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