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
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.
