Types of Virtual Events

The Way Out in the Coronavirus Times

To get a better understanding of virtual conferencing, let's look at the different types of video conferencing. As you might be aware, a virtual event is one where individuals have the opportunity to experience the proceedings of an event online rather than attending them in person.

Types of Virtual Events

When it comes to matters event programming, virtual conferences can be integrated into those events you plan to host. In this Corona virus pandemic, virtual conferences are the best means by which you can still have meetings with your clients, or basically hold a normal meeting. Here are the four different types of virtual events you need to understand and implement.

1. Webinar Events

In normal circumstances, webinar conferences last an average of 45 to 120 minutes. This is a kind of conference that you can easily implement. Mostly designed to reach a larger audience, as a an event planner, you will have an easy time hosting your clients with this form of virtual conferencing. Further, this format allows for questions to be sent in-advance or through a chat portal. Webinars are easier to implement and cost effective due to the underlying technology is not complex and readily available, podcasts for example, and requires less participant interaction.

2. Virtual Conferences / Summits

Perhaps, this is the event that can keep you afloat in this pandemic. It is one of the most used conferencing platforms by cooperates and individual companies. Virtual conferences pertain to multi session contents that revolve around community engagement tools. It allows attendees view keynotes in real time, create their own agenda from related content as well as interact with other individuals on the conference.

 
3. The Internal Hybrid Events

This is the kind of event that fits perfectly companies that have teams abroad who are now limited to travel restrictions. These events could be in the form of stockholder meetings, corporate summits, internal product launches, generally events for company stakeholders. Companies can use Microsoft Teams and in conjunction with Microsoft Stream to make this happen. As an event planner, you can use technologies like these to host clients from foreign countries.

  
4. External Hybrid Events

These are the type of events that are normally held for participants outside of the organization. They can be in the form of industry conferences and user conferences. Where teams who are already working closely join-in a virtual conference and stream their collaboration to external viewers or participants. The concept is essentially to split the experience into ‘Hybrid’ where collaboration is not just limited to local participants in a virtual setting but inclusive of external participants that are normally not a part of the core organization. They can be interactive, for example; a moderator can collect poll questions or have questions sent-in during the event or beforehand from select people.

5. Live Event Streaming 

As you may have already seen many entertainers are performing online for their fans for free. At some point these musicians and entertainer need income too; planning an online concert or a comedy hour takes some planning. Fans can enjoy their favorite local bands for a nominal fee and watch online on their big screen. Paid events mean that the production value has to be high; for example - multiple cameras, good sound quality, good lighting, and well-timed flow. All this takes a good deal of coordination and with social distancing, everything has to be done remotely.  

6. Online Social Events - Weddings and Birthdays

A new way to keep in line with social distancing guidelines and celebrate life’s moments with friends and family. There are many free and paid platforms that allow the entire event’s party to join in and virtually see each other and have fun. The coordination and having everyone join in at a certain time can be the biggest challenge as you know some people are just late to everything. Grandma and grandpa simply are not able to figure out video conferencing and chat, so someone in the planning group needs to set things up ahead of time probably by phone. A written walk through on how to setup device(s) so it’s ready to join the party when it’s time would be a great call. Find their device specs ahead of the time. One last note, of course things can get boring fast and too much chatter can create a not so pleasant experience for people who get annoyed easily. Assign a host to manage the flow of the event – welcome to the new normal of events!  

So, if you want to keep your event planning business alive during this period, Contact us.