Satellite Events: A Key Fixture in the Future of Corporate Events?

October 21, 2021

Harry Prince

Harry Prince has been the Creative Content Manager at Spacehuntr since 2020. With a keen eye for SEO and strategy, his areas of interest include event technology, trends, marketing, catering, architecture and interior design.

The world of corporate events was moving along quite nicely until the advent of COVID-19. But ever-versatile, the industry went online and survived virtually. Now, slowly but surely, in-person events are starting to grow again. 

However, it appears that Pandora does not go so quietly back into the box. By all accounts, 73% of event planners believe that virtual and hybrid events are here to stay, even after COVID-19. 

The nature of these events are still finding their best form and certainly have their flaws. But one of the brightest answers so far has been satellite events. 

What Is a Satellite Event? 

In short, a satellite event is a single event concept that takes place in several places at oncevirtually and physicallysimultaneously. 

Say you desire to host a product launch with a global reach. You could have a satellite event location in every continent. This concept works on smaller scales as well as at the contingent, national and city-level. 

If executed effectively, you’ll merge these locations into one cohesive event, where your virtual and physical guests will feel like they are part of something extraordinary. 

Much is the same for international or transnational companies that want to hold internal events. If you can’t make it to the head office, can you make it to a closer office?

How Is a Satellite Event Different From a Hybrid Event? 

By now you’re probably thinking, “What makes a satellite event different from a hybrid event?” Because, yes, there is overlap, and perhaps it is an extension of the same concept. 

You can differentiate a satellite event from a hybrid event on the simple premise that there is more than one physical event location. For example, if you have a hybrid trade conference in Seoul, it becomes a satellite trade conference when you also have a host location in Tokyo. 

Here are the advantages of hosting satellite events:

Less Traveling

Satellite events are just more convenient for prospective attendees sitting on the fence. It means they take less time out of their week to attend, and they can save money not only on travel but also potentially on accommodation. 

Increase Attendees and Revenue 

What a satellite event does is increase global and local reach. For example, a hybrid event in Amsterdam can attract attendees from the local area, and that’s about it. 

A satellite event, however, will increase your prospective attendance numbers. More attendees mean more money. It’s as simple as that. More attendees also mean more exposure to your brand and your event. 

A single event happening in a single city is lovely, but an event happening in several cities at the same time will gain more online and word of mouth traction. A company that can pull this off will build its reputation off the back of that, no doubt! 

More Fulfilling Attendee Experience

The sad truth is that virtual attendees tend to feel like one box of many on their Zoom screens. And it’s because they are. It’s hard to make virtual attendees feel engaged and catered to, with 71% of event planners saying this is their biggest challenge with these types of events. 

With the option of many and more local satellite locations to attend, they can rightfully claim a more personalized experience.  

Moreover, they’re advantageous for the simple fact that they’re exciting. Being part of a simultaneous, immersive and dynamic event with people in different countries is an exciting thing to be part of! 

They’re a Stepping Stone Back Into Live Global Events

Travel is difficult right now and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. Offering in-person events closer to people’s homes will be cheaper, more accessible and most importantly, safer for them to attend. 

Regional meetups are a fantastic way to offer live events while the world is coming out of this challenging period. Moreover, splitting up a large event concept into smaller regional locations means a smaller capacity, which is safer by any metric during COVID. 

In conclusion, it’s clear that satellite events are an exciting off-shoot of the virtual and hybrid event genre. What’s more, even after travel and event restrictions have disappeared, they still have an intrinsic allure that event planners and attendees won’t be able to resist. 


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Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact