{"id":32918,"date":"2022-01-13T15:51:59","date_gmt":"2022-01-13T15:51:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digileaders.com\/?p=32918"},"modified":"2022-01-14T10:11:10","modified_gmt":"2022-01-14T10:11:10","slug":"3-key-reasons-why-virtual-events-are-the-new-normal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/digileaders.com\/3-key-reasons-why-virtual-events-are-the-new-normal\/","title":{"rendered":"3 key reasons why virtual events are the new normal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Let me start by saying – I am done with all the restrictions, lockdown and COVID in general. If I could snap my fingers and make COVID disappear – I would. I miss being able to interact with people, to network and have meaningful conversations in \u201creal life\u201d, not just over an internet connection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the last two years, we have all spent a large proportion of our working lives connecting on-screen. However, as the pandemic fades, it seems that going back to a pre-pandemic reality of face-to-face events is a real possibility.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The events industry doesn\u2019t seem to have a consensus – some people seem desperate for a return to in-person; others prefer the ease and convenience of virtual. Looking ahead to 2022, I\u2019ve spent a lot of time thinking – should face-to-face events be the default once again?<\/span><\/p>\n

From my perspective, virtual events make more sense. You might be reading this article screaming \u201cNo!\u201d, but please do hear me out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sure, nothing beats an engaging, face-to-face conversation – but virtual events are more inclusive, more time efficient, lower-cost and more eco-friendly. They burst the \u201cLondon-centric\u201d bubble and improve our work life balance. Best of all, they strip away the boundaries of who you can reach and impact with your event.<\/span><\/p>\n

To many, the compromise between these two extremes could be a hybrid event. There certainly seems to be an increase in the number of hybrid events that have been put on recently, with a whole range of studio setups being put on show.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, if hybrid events are not done well, they tend to be the worst of both worlds. Sharing content via livestream has minimal opportunities for interaction, leaving your online viewers feeling like they have had a second class experience. Setting up a camera crew and smaller in-person conference can get very expensive, and increase the workload of your team with very little effect or payoff.<\/span><\/p>\n

To prove my point, let\u2019s have a deeper look from the perspective of the various parties involved in an event.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Perspective : The Event Organiser<\/h3>\n