Virtual Events Help Organizations Find their Place Online

“P” is for “Place” 

As the world changes, firms are finding ways to adapt to these changes. For example, one of the four “P’s” in marketing is “Place.”  From manufacturing to retail, “place” is now online, forcing many corporations to embrace digital technologies that enable everything from workforce collaboration to online purchasing. In fact, according to a recent study from McKinsey Global Survey of Executives, funding for digital initiatives has increased more than anything else, including increases in costs, tech personnel, and customers.  

While some companies may have initially been reluctant to e-procure, e-invoice and e-chat, most are finding there are many perks to virtual technologies, and one of the primary benefits is inclusivity. Virtual events in particular embody inclusivity, and companies across industries are leveraging virtual event technology to reach their current target market as well as new markets without the limits of physical place or proximity. These companies repeatedly cite three key benefits of virtual event environments.

3 Key Benefits of Virtual Environments

1. Reach a mass audience. Businesses are finding ways to drive value by bringing mass content to mass audiences. They no longer have to pay millions of dollars for air travel, hotels, meal vouchers, etc. for employees to travel to one location at a time for one event at a time. Rather, virtual events allow organizations to share information with new groups across various industries simultaneously regardless of geographic location. 
2. Engage at your own pace. Online extension tools allow companies to expand reach and impact over time. Previously, exhibitions occurred over two to four days within a given week and were restricted to only the in-person attendees. Virtual events permit individuals to come into an environment at a time that suits them, and smart companies know that virtual events can stay live indefinitely, allowing individuals to revisit events over the long term.  This ultimately increases event ROI.  
3. Enjoy a range of features and functionality. The world is your oyster! Each virtual event is unique. From full-scale events with breakout rooms and live Q&As to virtual department happy hours and team building, virtual events offer something for everyone in an immersive, creative, one-of-a-kind experience. With the click of a button, an individual can interact with an entirely new digital world to expand knowledge, demo a product, or make a sale! 

And speaking of virtual happy hours and team building, companies should be sure to build virtual event agendas that include gaps for networking and peer-to-peer engagement to promote organizational culture. According to research conducted by EY’s Center for Talent Innovation,

“39% of respondents feel the greatest sense of belonging where their colleagues check in with them, both personally and professionally."

Promote Inclusivity in Virtual Events Today

Accelerated by the pandemic, digital proficiencies have changed the way businesses operate, and users have become more comfortable with technology, including virtual environments. As summarized in our latest webinar, Plotting Your Virtual Event Strategy for 2021, the technology hasn’t changed, but the perception behind the technology has. 

To learn more about how you can promote inclusivity in virtual events and reach current and new markets with a 6Connex virtual environment, request a demo today. 

Related Resources:

Adapting Your Marketing Strategy to the Reality of Virtual Events

Sources:

EY.com - Five findings on the importance of belonging