Virtual meetings have grown in popularity drastically over the past few years. According to quixy, “Video conferencing technology was used by 48% of remote workers by 2020, and by 2022, the percentage increased to 77%.” Now, in 2023, even with the return of in-person meetings, many have experienced and seen the benefits of hosting virtual events.
Virtual meetings and events are here to stay. In some instances, in-person meetings will transform into hybrid events this year and into the future.
The LaClare Group are experts in bringing your meetings and events to life (virtual, in-person, or hybrid). We’re here for your success!
The LaClare Group team has put together this Virtual Meetings Resource Guide to set you up for success when planning your next virtual or hybrid meeting:
General Information
Virtual meetings and events allow individuals with common interests to connect and share an experience at the same time from anywhere around the world. There are many different types of meetings or events that can be successful virtually. For example, trainings, workshops, tradeshows, product launches, retreats, keynotes, and conferences can transform into virtual. Any in-person event can perform well on a virtual platform if you think outside the box and cater to making an experience for attendees at home.
Here are a few articles that provide general information about virtual meetings to help you get started:
Engagement
Attendee engagement is known to be one of the most challenging aspects of virtual meetings, but we’ve learned that there are many creative ways to achieve the interaction you and your attendees are looking for. One of the biggest ways to engage is to incorporate activities throughout the virtual meeting. As technology continues to advance, it is now easier to accomplish this. For example, utilizing the chat box, polling features, and breakout session options on a virtual platform are just a few basic ways to increase engagement.
Here are a few additional articles that will help you increase engagement throughout your virtual meeting or event:
Technology
As you may already know, technology plays a major role in creating a successful virtual meeting. Producing a great virtual meeting doesn’t mean you have to work with the most advanced technology, but rather it is about knowing which technology tools you need, no matter how cutting-edge, and strategizing how to use them to their best ability.
We offer these articles for more information on the technology needed for a successful virtual meeting:
Marketing
Event Marketing is focused on how you can get your potential attendees to register, whether the event is in-person, virtual, or hybrid. It is the time to showcase everything your meeting or event has to offer. There are different strategies you can try for different audiences. A few questions to consider before you begin marketing are “Who is your virtual meeting for?” and “Why should someone attend your virtual meeting?”
For more information, the following articles provide details on different marketing strategies for virtual meetings:
Sponsors and Exhibitors
Virtual meetings bring an opportunity to provide innovative solutions for featured sponsors and exhibitors. They can be placed directly in front of the audience and receive specific analytics due to the ability to track which attendees show even the slightest interest. The key is to create customized virtual sponsorship packages and showcase the explanation of all benefits that come along with each package.
Learn more tips on how Sponsors and Exhibitors can thrive on the virtual platform:
Testimonials
As you're planning for the next couple of years, remember virtual meetings. As you can see, virtual meetings have become the newest solution, and if done correctly, there are many benefits for you, your business, sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees.
Don’t just take our word for it! Listen to what attendees and clients from around the world had to say after their virtual meetings:
"Thank you so much for partnering with us to do a webinar. Please extend our thanks to your whole team. It was a huge boost to bring in that revenue. It gave us the opportunity to imagine possibilities for the future. Thank you for your generosity. And way to bring those supporters in at the last minute!"
- Jessica
"I thoroughly enjoyed these past two days and have been really impressed by the high quality of the conference. Apart from the content, it also was really easy to navigate, and it was clearly diligently set up."
- Virtual Conference Attendee
"What a fantastic team! Thank you everyone for your contributions in pulling off a beautiful online event. I have received many emails from participants with glowing reviews and eagerness to continue our discussions.”
- Kami
Want to learn more? Contact The LaClare Group (info@laclaregroup.com) for a free initial consultation or for more information on planning virtual meetings and events.