In addition , your platform should be fully branded with the look and feel of your organisation , and keeping your event browser-based will ensure maximum compatibility / accessibility with minimal technical difficulties .

he unavoidable shift to online events has highlighted a surprising number of advantages that many organisations will find difficult to ignore , even in a post-Covid world . It seems safe to say virtual events are likely to remain a significant part of the industry landscape for the foreseeable future , and it ’ s well worth exploring what they have to offer .

Here are a few of the key selling points for taking your event online :

- Virtual events are global : They allow anyone , anywhere in the world to attend , and this increased reach can also expand sponsorship opportunities .

- They are sustainable : The environmental benefits associated with reductions in travel , printed materials , and other onsite waste speak for themselves .

- They are flexible : Venue availability becomes a non-issue , and since content

can be left online indefinitely , the life cycle of the event is easily extended . - They save time and money : For attendees , virtual events eliminate the need to purchase flights and book hotels . For organisers , the costs associated with venue hire , onsite staff , printed signage , and the provision of food and drink are entirely eliminated .

The virtual event experience Even the webinar experience can be interactive and dynamic . At Shocklogic , we believe there are several key elements to any virtual auditorium .

Your platform should provide :

• A waiting room for attendees who log in early with a countdown to the beginning of the session .

• A Green Room to welcome speakers and prepare them for the event .

• The ability to view the speaker and slides simultaneously .

Below : Angie Harms , Shocklogic

A changed landscape The events of 2020 have produced a trial by fire for virtual events platforms on a global scale , and the relative success of this shift has come as a surprise to many .

Indeed , even as onsite events begin to resume , organisers will be forced to grapple with the logistics of keeping participants safe for some time to come . Social distancing recommendations may continue to limit venue capacities , and providing proof of health or vaccination may add a new step to registration processes . The landscape of the travel industry is also likely to remain disrupted , and some sections of the population may continue to avoid air travel , even after restrictions are loosened .

The future of the events sector will inevitably be shaped by everything that has happened in 2020 , but the crisis can be viewed as an opportunity . The ability to move events online will make the industry more resilient to adverse circumstances in future , and we will continue to adapt and refine virtual events to make them better than they have ever been .