Types of Virtual Events

Just what are the types of virtual events? Essentially any type of event that replaces or adds to a physical event uses a virtual event platform.

What Kind Of Different Virtual Events Are There?

Virtual events are remarkably similar to physical events. They enable groups of people, from any location or device, to connect to learn, discuss, and interact. Virtual attendees consume content, exchange contact information, and can even receive training or learn new material the same way you would in a classroom setting.

So, what kind of virtual events can you host and what kind of virtual experiences can you create?

1) Virtual Conference

Conferences are larger, more comprehensive virtual events. They typically involve multiple speakers, workshops, and networking sessions, and can last for several days. These events can be a great way to connect with experts in your field and learn about the latest trends and developments.

2020 proved to corporations and non-profit organizations that virtual conferences are a viable option to in-person meetings. Virtual conference platforms have evolved to include immersive design and powerful attendee engagement features to allow attendees to consume content and engage with speakers, sponsors, and fellow attendees.

A virtual conference can be designed as a simple environment that organizes sessions with content and engagement. Or a larger-scale environment to include exhibitor booths as well as other rooms and spaces.

2) Virtual Trade Show

A virtual trade show is a digital event that allows vendors and buyers to connect, network and conduct business without ever having to leave their homes or offices. It is an online version of a traditional trade show, where companies can showcase their products and services, network with other businesses, and generate leads.

Virtual trade shows are becoming increasingly popular as businesses look for new ways to reach potential customers and stay connected. They offer a number of advantages over traditional trade shows, including eliminating the need for travel, reducing costs, and allowing businesses to reach a wider audience. One of the biggest benefits of a virtual trade show is the ability to reach a global audience. With a virtual trade show, companies can showcase their products and services to buyers from all over the world. This means that companies can target their markets more effectively and tap into new markets that may have previously been inaccessible.

3. Webinars

Webinars are one of the most popular types of virtual events. They are typically one-time events, hosted online, and attended by a large number of people who can join from anywhere in the world. Webinars are ideal for presentations, Q&A sessions, and expert panels. They are often interactive, with chat rooms and polls that allow participants to engage with the presenter and each other.

4) Virtual Career Fairs or Virtual Job Fairs

Virtual Career Fairs are becoming an increasingly popular way to attract and recruit talent across geographic boundaries. One global professional services firm held a two-day virtual career fair that spanned 40 countries, yielding 20,000 registrants and 10,000 attendees over the course of 48 hours.

Virtual recruiting allows candidates from any time zone to engage with an organization’s recruiting staff when it’s best for them.

Virtual career fairs can also speed up the recruiting process, since hiring managers can interact with candidates before they proceed with interviews, and it is easy to escalate candidates with whom they’re interested. It is also generally easier to arrange meetings with hiring managers since no travel is involved.

Finally, virtual job fairs facilitate reaching passive job seekers that are already employed. Passive candidates appreciate the ease (no need to take time off of work) and privacy (they have concerns with being seen at a physical job fair) of attending a virtual career fair.

5) Virtual Sales Kick-Off

Companies use sales kick offs to give their sales reps the tools and motivation they need to divide and conquer for the upcoming year.Historically sales kickoffs Sales kickoff (SKO) events are often long and expensive get-together’s that leave attendees looking forward to the flight home.

Research shows that salespeople forget 80-90% of what they learn after just one month, diminishing the long-term value of an expensive event down to virtually nothing.  Research also indicates that 7 out of 10 companies do not deliver post-work follow-up or training. Yikes!

Growing global work-forces require flexible solutions- and the solution is virtual. A virtual event can quite literally incorporate the entire sales force for a quarter of the price, while presentations can be recorded and utilized as resources all year-long. Instead of having just one sales event per year that only one-quarter of the global sales team can attend, for example, a company can host four events a year that can accommodate the entire global sales team for the same price.

Moving from annual to quarterly virtual sales kick-off events increases employee engagement, integrates AI training, and boosts the ROI of the SKO investment.

Want to learn more about hosting a virtual sales kick-off? Read Communique’s Virtual Sales Kick-Off eBook.

6) Online Training / e-Learning Events

These are typically a virtual environment that includes sessions in which participants learn a skill or complete a course or certification. Students from any device or location can attend online classes that offer instructional videos, exercises and tests.

7) Virtual University Fairs

Universities host several types of virtual events to help students & alumni engage with Universities as well as top employers globally.

• Virtual Open Day – Enables prospective students to view and explore what the university has to offer as well as interact with faculty and alumni. Virtual open days attract 3 to 5 times more students as compared to a physical event.
• Virtual Job Fair – Helps students connect and network with employers and recruiters from any location.

8. Virtual Benefits Fair

According to a recent survey from Aflac, half of employees only spend 30 minutes or less making benefit selections during the open enrollment. This means that HR teams have a short window of time to educate employees (and spouses) and make sure they are armed with the right benefits selection information.

Virtual benefits fairs enable organizations to educate and communicate benefits plan information to geographically dispersed employees. Employees can visit a theater room to watch live or on-demand presentations on such topics as health plan options, the consumer choice plan (is it right for you?), the health savings account and making the most of your flexible spending account. Exhibit halls contain booths staffed by health, wellness, and financial providers enabling employees, and their spouses, to ask questions and access information.

9. Virtual Health or Wellness Fair

A virtual health fair is an online event designed to provide individuals with access to health-related resources and information. It’s similar to an in-person health fair, but instead of gathering in one physical location, participants are able to attend the virtual event from the comfort of their own homes.

Virtual health fairs provide participants with a wide range of health-related resources and information. This can include everything from educational materials, to live webinars, to health screenings. Many health fairs also offer online chats with healthcare professionals or other experts, giving participants the opportunity to ask questions and get answers.

Virtual health fairs are becoming increasingly popular, as they provide easy access to health information and resources without the need to travel or take time off work. They are also more cost effective than in-person health fairs, as there is no need to rent a physical space or pay for food or other amenities.

Related resource: Expert Tips & Best Practices for Hosting a Virtual Health Fair

Conclusion

As you can see, there are plenty of virtual event types and formats that can be used to educate and connect attendees. They all share the same objective, bringing people together around a common interest.