Even though virtual events proved to be successful through time, some people are still dubious about them and have misconceptions. Sometimes virtual events can be intimidating because they are using technology in a new way. For some people they are a part of the unknown and it is something new for them. Some people don’t know how to start planning virtual events and they are sceptical about the success of the event. Another major question they have is how to generate revenue from virtual events. 

Virtual events still seem to be an unknown topic and there are many misconceptions about them. We want to familiarize you with the topic of virtual events and to clarify false myths about them. 

 

Major misconceptions: 

1. No one wants to attend virtual events 

Since the Covid-19 pandemic the number of virtual events has doubled and the number keeps growing each day. Due to not being able to attend the events in person, people had to come up with alternatives. This is the reason why virtual events have thrived. More than 50% of marketers reported hosting more than 20 virtual events during the pandemic. Each event has showed even higher attendance than previous one. Main advantage of virtual events is that you can attend the event from the comfort of your home. This eliminates having any additional costs (traveling, hotels, venue booking and more). Virtual events can be perfectly incorporated with your other obligations, professional and private. 

 

2. There are limited opportunities for engagement during virtual events 

This statement is completely false because there are various opportunities for attendees to engage, participate and network during virtual events. We will list few examples below: 

Firstly, live chat offers connection to any other attendee to the event. Attendees can message each other, have a call or video call while collecting business cards of their communication partner.  

Virtual events offer Q&A sessions or interactive webinars where attendees can ask questions, comment or add some of their suggestions. This feature prompts conversations and incentivizes further networking and perhaps partnerships in the future. 

To make events more interesting you can use gamification tactics. Gamification is used mostly to double the engagement among attendees and make the event more action packed. AVIANET 3D Virtual Event Platform implemented various games for attendees to play and earn rewards. The games help keep participants active and engaged.  

If you wish to have private meetings, you can use separate one on one meeting rooms. However, if you would like a closed meeting with more people there are many to many meeting rooms available. 

Pools, surveys and chat function is also used to incentivize conversations, but also to have data analytics afterwards. 

A major misconception is that virtual events do not bring value to your future marketing strategies. This is false because virtual events add value by making every attendee touchpoint visible. 

 

3. Not being able to monetize virtual events 

In the beginning, sponsors weren’t very keen on investing in virtual events. They wanted to make sure that they will get enough exposure in turn for their money. The greatest setback in the beginning was convincing sponsors of the value of virtual events. 

There are many reasons why sponsors and exhibitors can profit from virtual event presence while still generating revenue for your virtual event. Firstly, you must understand what goals sponsors want to achieve with this event.  

Below are some examples of business opportunities for sponsors: 

You can create a sponsorship website page where you can add sponsor’s branding to the registration page of virtual event. Or add a sponsored virtual booth with representing materials (presentations, brochures, logos and more). 

Another suggestion are sponsored webinars where sponsors can properly present their products. This can be a big motive for sponsorship. Also, sponsored games and prizes incentivize attendees to participate and sponsors to be part of the event. 

 

4. Virtual events are too complicated to plan 

Another myth or one of misconceptions about virtual events is that they are too complicated to plan. The AVIANET team is here to assist you throughout the whole event. The effort, planning and delivery of the event is eliminated by having a Virtual Event Platform and a support team. The administrative process is omitted. When you choose AVIANET, we take care of your whole virtual event. 

 

5. Virtual events won’t be popular that long 

Over 80% of surveyed customers say that they will stick to virtual events again in the future. Or if not fully virtual, they will be hybrid because they want to cherish all the benefits laid out before you during their events. 

 

Final Thoughts 

We hope we have clarified some common misinterpretations about virtual events and hope you will jump to your first opportunity to work with AVIANET for your future virtual events. We sure look forward to.