5 Strategies for Making Your Virtual Conference as Valuable as a Face-to-Face Event

April 1, 2020

Larry Dorie

Larry Dorie is the CEO and Co-Founder of RHUB Communications. He is an experienced general manager with a strong track record in growing businesses and developing high-performance teams. Prior to RHUB, Dorie was founder and CEO of two previous start-ups, eB2X and Semantic Sciences.

The coronavirus pandemic has shifted the nation, disrupting work and home life on an unprecedented scale. Among the dramatic changes has been the cancellation of nearly all types of events and business conferences that were scheduled to take place over the next several months. 

While it may be hard to imagine creative ways to still get your conference insights to the marketplace, it can be done. Moreover, if done the right way, you can make a lasting impression for attendees; presenters can share their expertise; and even vendors can reach their target audience – all in a manner that protects everyone’s safety and well-being.  

Smaller conferences can easily shift their event to a simple Zoom video conference, but larger events should consider virtual conference solutions that can host up to 3,000 attendees simultaneously. Furthermore, organizers should take into consideration some of these other key elements as they prepare to host successful virtual events. 

Demonstrate Value And Package Pricing

People and companies will still pay for what they see as being valuable to their professions and their careers. So even though your event may now be virtual, it’s important to create rates that are fair and competitive for an online event. If you are offering major top-tier keynote speakers on your virtual event, you may be able to charge a little more for admission, especially if the speaker is sharing some game-changing insights for your industry. Furthermore, for any virtual vendors you want to feature during your online event, create virtual booth space fees that allow them to showcase their products and service as part of your event or on your website. 

Create Engaging Content

People don’t come to conferences to hear information they already know. Conference designers should work with presenters to create exciting and engaging content that will help participants gain value from being part of it. Webinar technologies can also enable you to add visual content or other relevant data that is pertinent to the topic being discussed. The technology is there to allow you to deliver a stellar experience that keeps attendees coming back for more information.

Explore New Mediums

The goal of a virtual conference is to deliver the same type of experience that an attendee would get if they were physically present. When shifting to a virtual format, this means the experience must be immersive. It must include interactions and ways to ask questions of the presenters. Fortunately, technology exists to enable all of the elements necessary to transport the attendee to the world of your conference digitally. Conference organizers can implement video calls, messaging, podcasts, appealing graphics and live chat functionality to deliver an immersive experience.

Create Avenues for Vendors

Another critical element of a conference is the access it provides to a wide variety of vendors and new technologies. Participants can chat with them, get answers about questions they may have and learn about new functionalities. Vendors also help the event’s organizers generate the funds they need to host the conference, which is no small task. Vendors can play as big of a role in a virtual conference as an in-person one. Conference organizers can request vendors create short videos of their products and services that can be displayed for a fee before or after the presentations. They can also add graphics with vendor contact information to some of the conference’s material. 

Leverage Marketing and PR Tactics To Promote Your Event

According to industry experts, there are a few critical things you can do to market your virtual event. First, scrub your database and then send out e-marketing flyers or newsletters to your contacts expressing the benefits of your new virtual conference format. Be sure to express your heart-felt concern for their wellness and safety, but also promote any wow factors with speakers, industry lessons that will be learned, and spotlights on key vendors that will be present. Furthermore, be sure to create a news release and send it out over the wire. By doing so, you will gain tremendous SEO value that could drive new audiences to your event for years to come.

Next, use social media and even the social media channels of your key stakeholders and partners to help promote your virtual events. Use engaging teaser videos to drive excitement and impactful photos showcasing some of the highlights of the event. And, remember to include links in your promotions to helpful resources and community organizations helping families through COVID, as people still need to hear a caring voice and they love to support events and brands that remember to help others. 

 

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Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.    Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.   The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.    MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.     MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.