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Without a doubt, the meeting and event industry is one that’s creative and resilient. It’s why among the news of event cancelations or postponements, many events have announced they’ll be going virtual during the COVID-19 outbreak using a Virtual event app.
While other options make sense for some, going virtual with event app comes with many benefits such as keeping attendees safe, audience retention, increasing inclusivity, and recouping some losses (both financial and creative).
Check out these tips to ensure your virtual event experience has a true impact on your audience during the COVID-19 outbreak and beyond.
According to Event Marketer, the most important step in taking your event digital is “communication and a smart marketing message.” Using Facebook’s F8 event as an example, Event Marketer highlighted the company’s clear, but powerful messaging that explained to attendees why the large in-person international event would switch to a mixed event with video and live streamed content, while putting health and safety at the forefront of their decision.
As the virtual version event comes together, use your Event App to keep attendees updated and to build anticipation about your format change, whether it’s announcing one of your keynotes is willing to do a live stream or that you and your team will set up a virtual exhibit hall.
Even if they’re stuck at home, people may not want to sit through an entire conference day. To give people options, include a mix of live streamed and pre-recorded content, all of which should be available right through your conference app afterwards so attendees can access your sessions on their time. For example, you could have some of your session speakers pre-record their presentations, while your high-profile keynotes host a live stream each day. The latter helps drive excitement and engagement and keeps people coming back.
If you had an exhibit hall at your in-person event, you can take that aspect of your event virtual as well! Take your exhibit hall map and make it engaging and interactive. What best way other than your trade show app to have a pop up showcase that company’s information, description, and exhibitor resources where the exhibitor can link to content such as fact sheets, case studies and any special offers they have for your attendees. Also the exhibitors can set up individual virtual meetings or calls with your attendees in case they still want to keep their previously scheduled onsite meetings or spontaneously want to learn more about their company during your virtual event.
On top of including popular virtual event engagement features such as Q&As, polling, Messaging, quizzes, note taking, etc., schedule your event in such a way that keeps attendees attentive, focused and, most importantly, feeling included. Encourage your speakers to regularly check in with your attendees and take breaks every 15-20 minutes or so to do a poll, take questions or complete an exercise.
A mobile event app isn’t just useful at an in-person event. Event organizers app allows remote attendees participate in real time using a mobile event app that allows them to engage via polling and attendee messaging, Discussion Board, Activity Feed, Photo Gallery which enables them to have the same interactive experience as those attending the event live. On top of email marketing, event organizers can also send push notifications via their app to remind attendees that a live stream is starting soon or that an exhibitor has a special offer.
According to Event Manager Blog, a successful virtual event also “incorporates elements that attendees look for at live events, such as networking opportunities.” This can be done via your mobile event app with in-app chat and matchmaking functionalities.
Virtual events can be a powerful tool, whether they’re used during a health crisis or not. If you take the time to pick the right app provider and make your virtual event as professional and engaging as it can be, you will set your event a part while bringing some sort of normality for your audience during this challenging time.Embark on your first virtual conference today and see for yourself the advantages for your business.