In April 2020, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) survey of executives with oversight of U.S. B2B exhibitions found that 41% of organizers reported postponing events later in 2020 and 34% of organizers have delayed their events well into 2021. And with announcements from the likes of Salesforce and Microsoft converting all their in-person events to virtual for the remainder of 2020, it is clear COVID-19 has created uncertainty for the foreseeable future.
Join Rich Vallaster, Director of Clients Relations at Personify and The Trade Show Wonk, as he shares best practices on how to plan successful (and profitable) virtual hybrid events including:
- Creating Engagement – In a virtual or hybrid events environment, creating connections and building community will be paramount to event success.
- Harnessing Event Tech – Most registrants have never attended, or companies ever exhibited at a virtual or hybrid event. Building and communicating an experience using your event website, mobile app and other event tech tools is critical.
- Developing Commerce – Regardless of the forum (in-person or hybrid), connecting buyers and suppliers (and other attendees) is paramount for most trade shows and events. Learn how to create a frictionless environment that fosters these connections required for profitable events (and satisfied exhibitors and sponsors).
- Engaging Content – Simply taking in-person content (and the associated speakers) and serving it in a digital environment will not be valuable or engaging. Creating a virtual program requires additional thought and considerations that don’t exist in the in-person world.