Innovation #5: Break Down the Barriers to Attendee Engagement with Other Attendees

Innovation #5: Break Down the Barriers to Attendee Engagement with Other Attendees

As discussed previously, virtual event planners are perpetually fighting for their attendees’ attention and mindshare. No stone should be left unturned in the efforts to encourage individuals to spend more time in your virtual event venue.

FIGURE 5

% of Respondents with Specified Anticipation for Attending Virtual Event in 2021 who “Agree” that “Online events that enable attendees to video chat with one another are more useful than events without video chat”

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

“Very Likely” to Attend Virtual Event in 2021 42% 34%

“Not Likely” to Attend Virtual Event in 2021 13% 32%

Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree

To enable this type of engagement, virtual platforms must offer features that streamline the process that attendees use to initiate and conduct small-group video meetings while in attendance at the virtual event venue. As illustrated in Figure 5, the ability to engage in video chat is a significant priority for those most likely to attend a virtual event. Forty-two percent of those “very likely” to attend a virtual event in 2021 “strongly agree” that “online events that enable attendees to video chat with one another are more useful than events without video chat.” Among those not likely to attend a virtual event, only 13% “strongly agree” with the statement.

While good presentations and programming can do much to drive attendee interest and engagement, platforms that offer individuals the opportunity to interact with others and make new contacts provide attendees with additional motivation to show up and stay longer than would otherwise be the case.

Several technology options can be implemented to make such ad hoc video conversations more commonplace within the halls of a virtual event. Better matchmaking tools, for instance, can facilitate the introduction of attendees with more shared interests – and, in theory – more to talk about. Features that simplify the process of scheduling and organizing such small-group video interactions also may drive greater participation in these types of meetings that give individuals more reason to stay engaged while attending a virtual event.

Likewise, for some international conference attendees, advanced technologies may actually enable a more engaging experience online than would be possible at an on-site conference. Automated live translation capabilities are becoming more broadly available in the text chat applications integrated into virtual venues. This enables attendees who speak different languages to engage with one another in a meaningful way online, generating interaction that would not be possible in the “real world.”

As technology platforms provide solutions that make it easier for attendees to interact with one another online, they will foster greater engagement opportunities for virtual event participants.