Corporate events nowadays and business meetings are moving online. Streams and Zoom meetings were a thing since the COVID-19 pandemic kicked in. Even schools conduct online classes virtually for a good reason. Online has offered us a platform to organise different virtual events and corporate staging in the comfort of your home.

Today, virtual events are more popular than ever and have benefitted planners to expand their reach and target more audiences. Anyone can participate in virtual/hybrid events without worrying about numerous factors, making it inclusive. Organisers only seek a virtual event company in Singapore rather than hiring a larger group of personnel and renting venues.

What Exactly Is A ‘Virtual Event’?

When you or someone hosted the event, using online, that is the definition of a virtual event. You can conduct and organise a virtual event either with the help of a virtual event organiser in Singapore or your own. As long as there are viewers or audiences around to witness your event, it fits the definition criteria. Anyone can view and access the event as long as they have your invitation and permission to enter the streaming party.

However, there are numerous agendas for hosting virtual events. Some are for-profit, while others are for non-profit missions. Today, most businesses use virtual hosting for marketing purposes, such as promoting a product launch or collaborative efforts.

Different Types of Virtual Events

When it comes to hosting an event online, there are many types of virtual events that you can organise and your audience to attend.

Virtual conferences

A virtual conference is based upon the idea of a live complex but instead held in a virtual space. Hiring a virtual event organiser is a must for the success of virtual conferences for those who seek to host the event. These online events interact with live audiences with multiple sessions, including keynote presentations and breakouts.

One can expect the involvement of community-wide engagement in the virtual environment. Attendees can build their ‘agenda’ and interact with other fellow attendees for the entirety.

Webinars

Unlike virtual conferences, webinars are either inclusive or exclusive to their target audience. Private companies and organisations often conduct webinars for a specific group of people either free or with a payment fee. They can last up to more than or less than an hour and some may opt to hire a virtual event organiser for assistance.

However, the most distinguishable difference between webinars and virtual conferences is the interaction between the audience and speakers. Unlike video conferences, webinar participants can’t directly ask questions or engage with the speaker. Most companies can host webinars for marketing purposes.

Meetings

Meetings are more inclusive by nature, and one does not need to hire a virtual event company to make it happen. It is a form of a collaborative event between interior members of an organisation. Unlike other virtual events, most virtual events such as this are more interactive. The event itself provides different means for its attendees or viewers to interact with the presenter. On the other hand, webinar speakers have absolute control over the flow of the program with a sizable body of attendees, moderators and panellists.

External hybrids

External hybrids are other events that occur outside of the organisation. It can either be a form of industry conference or a public exhibition event that involves an enormous number of virtual attendees. Hosting and organising external hybrids requires investment since high levels of video production are needed, which is why hiring a virtual exhibition in Singapore is a must. External hybrids are inclusive, and the level of engagement may vary since it blends in-person and virtual viewing.

Effective Practices For Hosting A Virtual Event

A virtual event is more than a replication of in-person events. It should strive to create an experience for attendees to deliver a high value. It’s a fantastic opportunity to make your business or brand relevant in today’s industry or global network.

Virtual events are widely popular and accessible for all, so there’s no reason to let the opportunity pass! So, if you are interested in hosting one soon, here are a few excellent practices you should follow:

Determine the most suitable platform for your virtual event

There are so many options in choosing a virtual event platform provider. In fact, it’s one of the most crucial things you can do since a platform can either help you deliver and fulfil your goal or hinder the experience. One easy way of finding a suitable platform for hosting a virtual event in Singapore is by preparing a few detailed standards you can ask the provider, such as:

• Third-party plugin supports
• Data analytics
• Registration
• Customer support
• Accessible features available
• Type of sessions you are aiming to host
• Design options available

Determine your event experience

Do you want your event to be educational? Perhaps, you are aiming for a less formal and casual experience filled with interaction? Before you decide to start hosting an event or paying for a virtual event organiser, you need to determine the experience type you want to deliver to your audience.

Don’t forget to showcase sponsors

There’s always room and space to give sponsors to showcase themselves by displaying their brand or logo in your virtual event. It’s only a form of conduct to provide the time to acknowledge them and let your viewers know who they are.

Market your event via social media

Spreading the word on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram could help you earn more attendees further down the road. Even if you have a virtual event company to help you organise, you are still on the mission of building a follower and earning an audience for your brand. So, don’t skip on this one.

Deliver keynotes

If you’re planning to host a webinar for your attendees, keynotes or PPT presentations are one of the most effective ways of delivering quality, rich content. You can conduct your own or have someone invited around locally or internationally to speak during the event at an extra cost.

Final Thoughts

Hosting a virtual event brings a lot of advantages to your brand and business. It might be foreign and overwhelming to some. Yet, many organisers can come to aid for a successful virtual hosting, so long as you have a fixed goal in mind. It’s never too late to host an event online!

Are you looking for a virtual exhibition in Singapore? Visit Evention Singapore for more virtual event solutions!