Driving Networking Opportunities with Virtual Platforms

Event Marketing, Event Planning, Virtual Events / By Abhishek Kapoor

Networking is a cornerstone of any successful event. However, the shift toward virtual platforms has transformed how attendees connect. With the right strategies and tools, virtual platforms can foster meaningful connections and enhance the overall event experience. Let’s dive into how you can leverage these platforms to create outstanding networking opportunities.

Why Networking is Key to Event Success

Networking is not just about exchanging contact details; it’s about building relationships, sharing knowledge, and creating opportunities. Whether your event is a conference, trade show, or workshop, attendees seek connections that add value. Virtual platforms, when used effectively, can meet these expectations and even surpass traditional methods.

How Virtual Platforms Enhance Networking

Global Connectivity: Virtual platforms break down geographical barriers, allowing attendees from around the world to interact seamlessly. This global reach expands networking possibilities exponentially. By integrating features like time zone scheduling, you can ensure everyone has a chance to connect.
Advanced Matching Algorithms: Many platforms use AI-driven matching tools to pair attendees based on shared interests or goals. For example, apps developed by
BrandWorks can tailor such matchmaking algorithms to suit your event’s niche.
Engaging Breakout Rooms: Breakout sessions offer smaller, focused discussions, helping attendees network in a more meaningful way. Platforms like Zoom and Hopin excel in creating these micro-communities.

Interactive Features That Drive Engagement

Incorporating interactive features on your virtual platform boosts attendee engagement:

Live Chat and Q&A: Let participants ask questions and share insights in real-time.
Gamification: Reward attendees for connecting with others. Platforms developed by AttendeeGain specialize in gamified networking elements that keep interactions fun and productive.
Profile Customization: Allow attendees to create detailed profiles showcasing their interests, expertise, and objectives.

Best Practices for Virtual Networking

Pre-Event Engagement: Engage attendees before the event starts. Use surveys or discussion boards to warm them up for meaningful conversations.
Facilitate Icebreakers: Initiate icebreakers like quick polls or trivia quizzes during the event to encourage interaction.
Provide Networking Agendas: Include networking sessions in the event schedule, ensuring attendees allocate time specifically for making connections.
Offer Post-Event Networking: Keep the conversation alive even after the event ends. Use tools like private chat groups or shared documents to extend the networking opportunities.

Case Studies: Virtual Networking Done Right

TechConnect Summit: Utilized AI-powered networking tools to match tech professionals with investors, leading to over 200 collaborations.
Global Educators Conference: Integrated breakout rooms to foster discussions on specialized topics, creating a network of educators spanning five continents.

The Future of Virtual Networking

As virtual platforms evolve, networking opportunities will become even more sophisticated. Features like virtual reality meetups, AI-powered icebreakers, and interactive avatars are already gaining traction. Partnering with innovative providers like BrandWorks ensures your event stays ahead of the curve.

Conclusion

Virtual platforms are redefining the way people network, making connections more accessible and impactful than ever. By embracing these tools and strategies, you can create an event experience that resonates deeply with attendees. Whether you’re hosting a small webinar or a global conference, the possibilities for meaningful networking are endless.

Ready to revolutionize networking for your next event? Explore custom solutions with AttendeeGain or BrandWorks today!

Abhishek Kapoor

Abhishek Kapoor is the founder and creative head of BrandWorks Worldwide. His is an ex-Cvent and has worked in the event space for the last 13 years, providing branding and registration expertise to many clients globally.

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In-Person vs. Virtual Events: What’s the Best Fit for You?

Event Planning, Hybrid Events, Virtual Events / By Abhishek Kapoor

In recent years, the events industry has witnessed a seismic shift, transitioning from predominantly in-person gatherings to a surge in virtual and hybrid events. As event planners and organizations navigate this evolving landscape, the question arises: What’s the best fit for your audience? In this blog post, we will weigh the pros and cons of in-person vs virtual events, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your objectives and audience preferences.

The Rise of Virtual Events

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of virtual events, allowing organizations to connect with global audiences from the comfort of their homes. According to a report by Statista, the global virtual event market was valued at over $78 billion in 2021 and is projected to continue growing. Virtual events have revolutionized the way we think about engagement, providing innovative ways to connect and interact.

Advantages of Virtual Events

Wider Reach: One of the most significant advantages of virtual events is their ability to attract a global audience. With no geographical constraints, you can invite participants from different parts of the world, expanding your reach and increasing brand visibility.
Cost-Effective: Virtual events often come with lower overhead costs. Without the need for venue rentals, catering, and travel expenses, organizations can allocate their budgets more efficiently. This can lead to higher profit margins and the ability to invest in other areas, such as marketing and technology.
Flexibility: Virtual events offer unparalleled flexibility in terms of scheduling and content delivery. Attendees can join from anywhere, allowing for more diverse programming. Additionally, virtual events can be recorded and made available for on-demand viewing, providing lasting value.
Data Insights: Virtual platforms offer robust analytics tools that allow you to gather data on attendee behavior, engagement levels, and feedback. This information can be invaluable for refining your future events. Platforms like Whova and Hopin provide detailed analytics to help you understand your audience better.

Disadvantages of Virtual Events

Limited Personal Interaction: One of the key drawbacks of virtual events is the lack of face-to-face interaction. Attendees may miss the networking opportunities that in-person events provide, leading to a less engaging experience.
Technical Issues: Virtual events are reliant on technology, which can sometimes lead to technical difficulties. Connectivity issues, platform glitches, and other technical challenges can disrupt the attendee experience.
Engagement Challenges: Keeping participants engaged in a virtual environment can be difficult. Without the energy of a live audience, it’s easy for attendees to become distracted or disengaged. According to a study by EventMB, 38% of virtual attendees lose interest within the first 30 minutes.

The Enduring Appeal of In-Person Events

Despite the growth of virtual events, in-person gatherings remain a powerful way to connect with audiences. The tactile experience of attending an event in person, interacting with others, and immersing oneself in the atmosphere cannot be replicated online.

Advantages of In-Person Events

Personal Connections: In-person events foster genuine connections. Face-to-face interactions allow for more meaningful networking opportunities, building relationships that can lead to collaboration and partnerships. According to a report by The Economist, 79% of event attendees say they prefer in-person events for networking.
Enhanced Engagement: The energy of a live audience can significantly boost engagement levels. In-person events create an immersive environment that encourages participation, making it easier to captivate your audience.
Brand Experience: Physical events provide an opportunity to create memorable brand experiences. Attendees can interact with products, engage in activities, and immerse themselves in your brand story. This can lead to a stronger emotional connection with your audience.
Immediate Feedback: In-person events allow for immediate feedback and interaction. Organizers can gauge audience reactions in real-time, making it easier to adjust the program as needed.

Disadvantages of In-Person Events

Higher Costs: Organizing in-person events typically involves higher expenses, including venue rental, catering, travel, and accommodation. This can limit your budget for other aspects of the event, such as marketing and technology.
Geographical Limitations: In-person events are constrained by location. Attendees may be unable to participate due to distance or travel restrictions, which can limit your audience size.
Health and Safety Concerns: The ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has made health and safety a priority for many attendees. Organizers must consider these concerns and implement appropriate measures to ensure a safe environment.

Finding the Perfect Fit

Finding the Perfect Fit between in-person and virtual events

Ultimately, the decision between in-person vs virtual events depends on your goals, audience, and resources. Here are some questions to consider:

What are your objectives? Determine the primary goals of your event. Are you aiming to educate, network, or showcase a product? Your objectives can help guide your choice of format.
Who is your audience? Understand your audience’s preferences and behaviors. Conduct surveys or polls to gather insights on whether they prefer in-person vs virtual events.
What is your budget? Assess your budget and resources. If you have limited funds, virtual events may be a more viable option. Conversely, if your budget allows for an immersive experience, consider in-person gatherings.
What is your timeline? Consider the timeframe for your event. Virtual events can often be planned more quickly than in-person gatherings, which require more logistical planning.

Conclusion

Both in-person and virtual events offer unique advantages and challenges. By weighing the pros and cons of each format, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your goals and resonates with your audience. As the events landscape continues to evolve, hybrid events, combining the best of both worlds, may also emerge as a popular solution. Ultimately, the key to success lies in understanding your audience and crafting experiences that connect, engage, and inspire.

Abhishek Kapoor

In-Person vs. Virtual Events: What’s the Best Fit for You? Read More »

Expanding Horizons: How Virtual Events Can Engage Global Audiences

Event Branding, Virtual Events / By Abhishek Kapoor

As businesses and organizations navigate the evolving event landscape, one significant shift is the rise of virtual events. Indeed, virtual events have opened doors to global participation, breaking geographical barriers and allowing organizations to engage diverse audiences across the world. In this blog post, we will explore how virtual events can expand your event’s reach and foster deeper engagement with international participants.

The Rise of Virtual Events

Over the past few years, virtual events have seen a tremendous rise in popularity, driven by technological advancements and the global pandemic. While in-person events offer unique experiences, virtual events present unparalleled opportunities for global connection. In fact, they have enabled companies and organizations to reach audiences they otherwise would have never been able to engage.

According to a report by Grand View Research, the virtual events market size is projected to reach $504.76 billion by 2030, demonstrating the growing importance of these events. As a result, now is the perfect time to understand how virtual events can be used to reach international audiences.

Breaking Geographic Barriers

One of the most significant advantages of virtual events is their ability to transcend geographical limitations. While traditional events often require attendees to travel, virtual events allow participants to join from the comfort of their own homes, regardless of their location. This convenience has made it easier than ever for businesses to connect with global audiences, fostering diverse interactions and expanding their reach.

Moreover, virtual events eliminate time zone challenges by offering flexible viewing options, such as on-demand sessions or recorded content. By accommodating different time zones, you can make your content accessible to attendees around the world, ensuring maximum participation and engagement.

In addition to eliminating travel constraints, virtual events reduce costs for both organizers and attendees. This affordability makes it more likely for people from various countries to participate, thereby increasing the overall reach of your event. For example, platforms like Hopin and Zoom Events offer scalable solutions that can handle large international audiences.

Expanding Engagement Opportunities

Not only do virtual events expand your audience, but they also enhance engagement. For instance, interactive features such as live chat, Q&A sessions, and virtual breakout rooms enable attendees to connect with speakers, exhibitors, and other participants in real time. These tools create a dynamic environment that encourages active participation, even from those who may be attending from halfway across the globe.

Furthermore, gamification elements like quizzes, polls, and competitions can be integrated into virtual events to drive engagement. By making your event interactive, you encourage attendees to stay engaged and invested in the content. As a result, virtual event platforms like Whova and Bizzabo have become increasingly popular due to their robust engagement tools.

Additionally, networking is one of the most important aspects of any event, and virtual platforms can enhance this by offering advanced networking features. With AI-powered matchmaking tools, attendees can be connected to others with similar interests, facilitating meaningful conversations and partnerships. By using these tools, you can ensure that your virtual event delivers value to global attendees by fostering connections that matter.

Personalizing Content for Global Audiences

To further engage international attendees, it’s crucial to tailor your content to appeal to diverse cultures and regions. For example, offering multi-language support, subtitles, or live translation services can ensure that your content resonates with attendees from different parts of the world. By investing in localized content, you can create a more inclusive environment that encourages broader participation.

Moreover, customizing your marketing efforts based on regional preferences and needs can drive greater attendance. For instance, a virtual event that addresses challenges specific to certain regions is more likely to capture the attention of those audiences. Therefore, offering localized case studies, testimonials, or region-specific breakout sessions can enhance the overall value of the event.

Data and Analytics: The Power of Insights

Another key advantage of virtual events is the ability to gather real-time data and insights about your attendees. By leveraging analytics, you can better understand your global audience’s behavior, preferences, and engagement levels. For instance, platforms like Zoom Events and On24 provide detailed reports on attendee participation, session popularity, and engagement metrics.

Moreover, these insights can help you optimize future events by identifying which sessions performed best and which regions were most engaged. Armed with this data, you can continuously improve your event strategy and deliver more targeted content to your global audience.

Furthermore, data can also provide valuable information on attendee demographics, helping you to better tailor future communications and follow-up activities. By analyzing data, you can identify which markets show the most interest and how to nurture those relationships moving forward.

Sustainability and Cost-Effectiveness

In addition to engagement, virtual events offer environmental and cost-saving benefits that appeal to both organizers and attendees. By reducing the need for travel, virtual events contribute to a lower carbon footprint, making them a more eco-friendly option. This is particularly important as sustainability becomes an increasingly important consideration for businesses and consumers alike.

Furthermore, virtual events are often more affordable for both attendees and organizers. By eliminating venue, catering, and travel costs, you can significantly reduce the overall expense of the event while still offering a high-quality experience. As a result, you can allocate more resources to creating engaging content and innovative experiences that will appeal to a global audience.

Conclusion

In summary, virtual events offer immense potential for engaging global audiences, breaking down geographical barriers, and fostering meaningful interactions. By incorporating tools that encourage engagement, personalizing content for diverse audiences, and leveraging data insights, you can ensure that your event is both impactful and inclusive.

At AttendeeGain, we understand the importance of expanding your event’s reach. Whether you’re looking to host your first virtual event or enhance an existing one, our expertise can help you deliver a seamless experience for your global audience. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you engage attendees from around the world with innovative virtual event solutions.

Key Takeaways:

Virtual events transcend geographical limitations, allowing for global participation.
Engagement tools like live chat and networking platforms enhance attendee interaction.
Tailoring content to diverse audiences increases participation and inclusivity.
Data and analytics offer valuable insights to improve future events.
Cost-effectiveness and sustainability are added benefits of virtual events.

For more such informational blogs and product insights, visit us at AttendeeGain. Looking for Branding or Digital Products Consultancy? check out BrandWorks.

Abhishek Kapoor

Expanding Horizons: How Virtual Events Can Engage Global Audiences Read More »

Cvent Registration

Leave a Comment / Hybrid Events, Virtual Events / By astra team

Elevate Your Event Registration with Cvent

The registration process is the first impression you make on your attendees. It sets the tone for the entire event and can significantly impact its success. Cvent registration software is designed to provide a seamless, intuitive, and flexible registration experience for both organizers and attendees. Here’s why Cvent’s event registration is a game-changer in the industry.

Cvent Intuitive and Customizable Registration Process

Cvent’s online event registration system offers an intuitive interface that guides registrants through the process smoothly, without confusion or complications. With drag-and-drop widgets and real-time design control, organizers can create entire event sites that reflect their brand and event theme.

Personalized Attendee Experience

Understanding your audience is key to delivering a personalized experience. Cvent allows you to send personalized email content, display targeted website content, and pre-populate forms, ensuring that each attendee feels valued and engaged from the start.

Powerful Marketing and Promotion Tools

Effective Promotions is crucial for driving conversions, Cvent’s event registration software includes email marketing campaigns, agenda and speaker promotion, and retargeting for abandoned registrants, helping you reach and convert your target audience.

Struggling with tight deadlines?

Cvent Robust Analytics for Informed Decisions

For measuring ROI and improving future events, Collecting data before, during, and after your event is essential. Cvent provides visual dashboards, UTM parameters for traffic monitoring, and attendee feedback collection, making it easier for you to analyze and act on valuable insights.

Seamless Integration with CRM and Automation Tools

Cvent’s event registration software integrates with your CRM and marketing automation tools, allowing you to minimize time-to-action on generated leads and build better customer profiles. This integration ensures a cohesive experience across all your event management activities.

Success Stories from Real Users of Cvent

The effectiveness of Cvent’s event registration is evident in the success stories shared by users. Organizations have seen significant increases in registration rates, mobile app adoption, and savings in staff hours, all while delivering innovative and modern registration experiences.

Conclusion

Cvents event registration software is more than just a tool; its a comprehensive solution that enhances every aspect of the event registration process. Whether you’re managing a small seminar or a large conference, Cvent provides the features, flexibility, and support you need to create a successful and memorable event.

Experience the difference with Cvent and take your event registration to the next level.

Abhishek Kapoor

Abhishek Kapoor is the founder and creative head of BrandWorks Worldwide.

Cvent Registration Read More »

Why Choose Cvent for Your Event Management Needs?

Leave a Comment / Hybrid Events, Virtual Events / By astra team

Event management technology has revolutionized the way organizations plan, execute, and analyze their events. Among the myriad of tools available, Cvent stands out as a comprehensive solution that caters to a variety of event types and sizes. Here’s why this is the go-to platform for professionals seeking efficiency, engagement, and excellence.

Cvent Comprehensive Event Lifecycle Management

An end-to-end platform that simplifies the management of each stage of the event lifecycle. From planning in-person, virtual or hybrid to post-event analytics, Cvent provides the tools you need to maximize the value of your events. With Cvent, you can manage meeting requests, find the perfect venue, engage your audience, and activate your data to drive measurable results.

Flexibility and User-Friendly Interface

Every organization has unique needs, and Cvent understands this. Their solutions are designed to be flexible and intuitive, allowing you to manage events of all shapes and sizes without relying on IT support. Whether you’re hosting a virtual conference or a hybrid seminar, Cvent empowers you to deliver memorable experiences with dynamic content and interactive features.

Branding and Customization with Cvent

Your brand is your identity, and Cvent gives you the tools to showcase it at every touchpoint. With complete control over branding, you can ensure consistent messaging across your website, registration, emails, mobile app, and more. This level of customization turns each event into an opportunity to reinforce and promote your brand.

Struggling with tight deadlines?

Engaging and Personalized Attendee Experiences

In today’s event landscape, attendee engagement is crucial. Cvent helps you create personalized experiences that resonate with your audience. From tailored websites to interactive mobile apps, Cvent’s features foster engagement and provide a seamless experience for attendees.

Robust Analytics and Reporting with Cvent

Understanding the impact of your events is key to continuous improvement. Cvent’s robust reporting tools offer detailed analytics, allowing you to gauge success and identify areas for enhancement. This data-driven approach ensures that you can measure ROI and make informed decisions for future events.

Positive User Feedback

Cvent’s commitment to excellence is reflected in its user reviews. With high ratings in flexibility, integration, and customer support, it’s clear that Cvent is a well-regarded tool in the event technology space. Users appreciate the platform’s comprehensive capabilities and the value it adds to their event management processes.

Conclusion

Choosing the right tool can make a significant difference in the success of your events. Cvent’s all-in-one platform offers the flexibility, branding, engagement, and analytics you need to elevate your events. Whether you’re a seasoned event planner or new to the field, Cvent is equipped to support you through the journey.

Talk to us if you need your event registration set up on Cvent.

Abhishek Kapoor

Abhishek Kapoor is the founder and creative head of BrandWorks Worldwide.

Why Choose Cvent for Your Event Management Needs? Read More »

Brand Activation Ideas To Connect With Your Target Audience

Leave a Comment / Hybrid Events, Virtual Events / By Abhishek Kapoor

So what is brand activation?

Brand activation is a relatively new word in the marketing industry. The term is interchangeably used with brand promotion but the scope of brand activation is wider than of brand promotion.

Successful event branding leads to recall value

A sound event branding strategy can impact a business or organization in multiple ways. At its core, these are the most common event branding goals:

Communicate the event’s vision
Gain recognition
Generate new interest from prospects
Attract sponsors and vendors
Create trust and loyalty

An effective brand will be memorable and have long-term appeal. When it’s all said and done, the experience and underlying message will be what guests remember, and an outstanding event brand will help attendees recall positive emotions related to your event.

Struggling with tight deadlines?

Brainstorm memorable event branding ideas.

As an event, you want all your attendees to leave with something that reminds them of the great time they had and to make sure to purchase a ticket again next year. That is when a novel experience captured through a photo or a cool hat can make all the difference. For example, most events provide swag bags and t-shirts to their team of volunteers not only to thank them but to act as a reminder to come back next year. This strategy can be applied to your attendees; you can simply build it into the ticket cost.
Here are a few ideas to spark some inspiration:
- An event swag bag or survival kit – This is a collection of items like hats, water bottles, pens, and more that can be used during the event to enhance the attendees’ experience.
- Event Experience Passport- Give each attendee an event passport and encourage them to get their passport stamped at various locations and experiences. Once they have completed it, offer a great prize they can take home with them (like a t-shirt).
- Social Media Scavenger Hunt – Leave clues on social media and ask people to take pictures with clues once they find them on social media for a chance to win a big prize.
These extra elements can impact engagement tremendously and directly impact your event brand. In turn, this extra effort up front can go a long way in securing long-term engagement and boosting future attendance.

Brainstorm memorable event branding ideas.

Visuals matter. You want every graphic you use to communicate what type of experience your event is going to deliver to your attendees. If you are planning a tech conference, you may want to communicate that there will be great speakers at the cutting edge of technological innovation and that people will leave having learned a lot. In that case, you will likely want to promote your keynote speakers in your event graphics.

No matter the type of event, your graphics should follow your event’s color pallet and typography. When choosing any stock images, make sure to pick ones that are high quality and that you can use it throughout all your event promotions and advertisements.

Why Event Branding Matters

Because your brand matters. Properly representing your brand and shaping how your attendees, partners and sponsors remember it are absolutely critical to the growth of your event and your business. Take a look at the following statistics:

79% of marketers cite increased brand awareness as the main focus for B2B content marketing. (*)
A signature color can boost brand recognition by 80 percent (University of Loyola, Maryland)
45% of a brand’s image can be attributed to what it says and how it says it. (*)
60% of US millennials expect consistent experiences when dealing with brands online, in-store, or by phone. (*)

Consider Apple: When you think about this tech giant, a handful of ideas most likely come to mind. Creative. Different. Modern. Streamlined. Hip. Apple is an example of a company that has a rock-solid brand. On top of that, Apple does a great job of maintaining their brand across their websites, ads, retail stores, products and every aspect of their events. Their annual Worldwide Developers Conference is known for its creative sessions, streamlined design, hip entertainment and modern innovations.

Carefully branded websites drive registrations

Crafting a one-page event website that generates countless registrations takes imagination, creativity, and some good old-fashioned common sense. You don’t just want potential attendees to be interested — you want them to be inspired to learn more, click through, and to sign up and attend your brand’s event.

In this post, we’ll explain why you need an event website and how to build one for your business. We’ll also throw in some examples of successful event websites as well as a few templates that you can use to get started.

Abhishek Kapoor

Brand Activation Ideas To Connect With Your Target Audience Read More »

How to Build Your Event With an Experience-First Design

Leave a Comment / Hybrid Events, Virtual Events / By Abhishek Kapoor

Supercharged event branding is the key to year on year success

An event brand is an incredibly important method for communicating what your event is to your target audience. To make sense of many competing priorities, this should indicate what kind of experience an attendee should expect based on their first impression of your brand.

Successful event branding leads to recall value

A sound event branding strategy can impact a business or organization in multiple ways. At its core, these are the most common event branding goals:

Communicate the event’s vision
Gain recognition
Generate new interest from prospects
Attract sponsors and vendors
Create trust and loyalty

Struggling with tight deadlines?

Brainstorm memorable event branding ideas.

As an event, you want all your attendees to leave with something that reminds them of the great time they had and to make sure to purchase a ticket again next year. That is when a novel experience captured through a photo or a cool hat can make all the difference. For example, it is ideal to provide swag bags and t-shirts to the team of volunteers not only to thank them but to act as a reminder to come back next year. This strategy can be applied to your attendees; you can simply build it into the ticket cost.
Here are a few ideas to spark some inspiration:
- An event swag bag or survival kit – This is a collection of items like hats, water bottles, pens, and more that can be used during the event to enhance the attendees’ experience.
- Event Experience Passport- Give each attendee an event passport and encourage them to get their passport stamped at various locations and experiences. Once they have completed it, offer a great prize they can take home with them (like a t-shirt).
- Social Media Scavenger Hunt – Leave clues on social media and ask people to take pictures with clues once they find them on social media for a chance to win a big prize.
These extra elements can impact engagement tremendously and directly impact your event brand. In turn, this extra effort up front can go a long way in securing long-term engagement and boosting future attendance.

Brainstorm memorable event branding ideas.

Visuals matter. You want every graphic you use to communicate what type of experience you are going to deliver to your attendees. If you are planning a tech conference, you may want to communicate that there will be great speakers at the cutting edge of technological innovation and that people will leave having learned a lot. In that case, you will likely want to promote your keynote speakers in your event graphics.

Why Event Branding Matters

79% of marketers cite increased brand awareness as the main focus for B2B content marketing. (*)
A signature color can boost brand recognition by 80 percent (University of Loyola, Maryland)
45% of a brand’s image can be attributed to what it says and how it says it. (*)
60% of US millennials expect consistent experiences when dealing with brands online, in-store, or by phone. (*)

Carefully branded websites drive registrations

Crafting a one-page website that generates countless registrations takes imagination, creativity, and some good old-fashioned common sense. You don’t just want potential attendees to be interested — you want them to be inspired to learn more, click through, and to sign up and attend your brand’s event.

In this post, we’ll explain why you need an event website and how to build one for your business. We’ll also throw in some examples of successful websites as well as a few templates that you can use to get started.

Abhishek Kapoor

How to Build Your Event With an Experience-First Design Read More »

One secret that boosts your ROI on events

Leave a Comment / Hybrid Events, Virtual Events / By Abhishek Kapoor

Supercharged event branding is the key to year on year success

An event brand is an incredibly important method for communicating what effectively to your target audience. To make sense of many competing priorities, an event brand should indicate what kind of experience an attendee should expect based on their first impression of your brand.

Successful event branding leads to recall value

A sound event branding strategy can impact a business or organization in multiple ways. At its core, these are the most common event branding goals:

Communicate the event’s vision
Gain recognition
Generate new interest from prospects
Attract sponsors and vendors
Create trust and loyalty

Struggling with tight deadlines?

Brainstorm memorable event branding ideas.

As an event, you want all your attendees to leave with something that reminds them of the great time they had and to make sure to purchase a ticket again next year. That is when a novel experience captured through a photo or a cool hat can make all the difference. For example, mostly one provides swag bags and t-shirts to their team of volunteers not only to thank them but to act as a reminder to come back next year. This strategy can be applied to your attendees; you can simply build it into the ticket cost.
Here are a few ideas to spark some inspiration:
- An event swag bag or survival kit – This is a collection of items like hats, water bottles, pens, and more that can be used during the event to enhance the attendees’ experience.
- Event Experience Passport- Give each attendee an event passport and encourage them to get their passport stamped at various locations and experiences. Once they have completed it, offer a great prize they can take home with them (like a t-shirt).
- Social Media Scavenger Hunt – Leave clues on social media and ask people to take pictures with clues once they find them on social media for a chance to win a big prize.
These extra elements can impact engagement tremendously and directly impact your brand. In turn, this extra effort up front can go a long way in securing long-term engagement and boosting future attendance.

Brainstorm memorable event branding ideas.

Why Event Branding Matters

79% of marketers cite increased brand awareness as the main focus for B2B content marketing. (*)
A signature color can boost brand recognition by 80 percent (University of Loyola, Maryland)
45% of a brand’s image can be attributed to what it says and how it says it. (*)
60% of US millennials expect consistent experiences when dealing with brands online, in-store, or by phone. (*)

Carefully branded websites drive registrations

In this post, we’ll explain why you need a website and how to build one for your business. We’ll also throw in some examples of successful event websites as well as a few templates that you can use to get started.

Abhishek Kapoor

One secret that boosts your ROI on events Read More »

Fix this one thing with virtual and hybrid events

Leave a Comment / Hybrid Events, Virtual Events / By Abhishek Kapoor

What is that one thing that virtual events suffer with?

Sponsorship Manager are complaining I offer to, liaise and work with event sponsors and exhibitors consistently and the mind-boggling complaint that we hear as of now is, “virtual events don’t work for exhibitors and sponsors”. Having dealt with more than 30 sponsorship based events somewhat recently, I can let you know that this doesn’t need to be valid

In the past 20 years, virtual events have really taken off. No longer are you required to travel long distances and invest in expensive tickets to attend an event. As a result, people can more easily take part in these events. However, there is a lot of confusion about how virtual events work for exhibitors and sponsors. To help, this post highlights the benefits of both types of events along with the pitfalls they might face at a virtual event.

Why Virtual Events Don’t Work for Exhibitors and Sponsors

Exhibitors and sponsors are the lifeblood of any event. They help to fund the event, provide products and services to attendees, and add to the overall atmosphere and experience. But when it comes to virtual events, many exhibitors and sponsors are left wondering if they’re getting their money’s worth.

There are a number of reasons why virtual events don’t work as well for exhibitors and sponsors. First, there’s no face-to-face interaction. This is a big one, as many business deals are still done in person. There’s nothing like shaking someone’s hand and looking them in the eye to seal a deal.

Second, virtual events can be quite boring. Let’s face it, most of us would rather be doing something else than sitting in front of a computer all day long. This is especially true when there’s no real reason to be there other than to listen to a bunch of people talk about things we may not be interested in.

Struggling with tight deadlines?

How to Get the Most from Your Virtual and Hybrid Events

As more and more businesses are moving towards virtual and hybrid events, it’s important to make sure you’re getting the most out of these events as an exhibitor or sponsor. Here are a few tips:

1. Make use of social media before, during, and after the event. Before the event, start promoting your involvement and get people excited about what you’ll be offering. During the event, live-tweet or post updates to give people a taste of what’s going on. And after the event, follow up with any leads you generated.

2. Utilize video content before, during, and after the event. Video is a great way to connect with potential customers and clients, so make use of it! Before the event, create promotional videos that highlight what you’ll be offering. During the event, livestream key moments or record short clips to share on social media. And after the event, thank your customers and clients with a video message.

3. Get creative with your exhibit space. Just because you’re not in a physical space doesn’t mean you can’t get creative with your exhibit! Use virtual reality, augmented reality, or even just create a fun and interactive website to showcase your

Abhishek Kapoor

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