Virtual Event Best Practices: Our Future with Virtual Events
By: Orion Moses
With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting every part of the world as we know it, virtual events are more crucial than ever. Companies all across the globe are relying on virtual meetings and schools are relying just as much on virtually-taught classes. As a society, we are naturally fixed on entertainment, and a lot of the entertainment we concern ourselves with is live. Sporting events, movies, concerts, etc. are all examples of things we live for, but can’t experience at this current time. In order to help combat the struggle of quarantine, some virtual events are being hosted to give people the entertainment they crave in a time like this, with most of them benefiting charities and research groups to help fight the virus.
Do’s and Don'ts of Virtual Events
Virtual Events are rapidly taking over our world in the time of crisis, but what does it take to successfully pull off a virtual event? An important first step is figuring out the platform that best fits the audience. Once that is determined, one must figure out if the audience should be interactive or not. How can the audience’s voice/feedback be heard? According to the event management company, Freeman, “Using the right tool is important, but you should not forget that technology is simply the medium used to create a larger narrative. Bill Gates famously said, ‘content is king,’ and that is still relevant in a competitive landscape with more skeptical crowds. But sitting in an adjacent throne, context is now queen. Whether you’re streaming a single event or producing a webinar with many presenters, there should be a beginning, middle, and end to a very personal story that resonates with each unique participant.”
Virtual Event Example: The NFL Draft
Every year, football fans wait in pure anticipation to find out who is going to be the newest addition to their favorite team at the NFL Draft. The draft was planned to take place in Las Vegas this year, with many extravagant festivities and ceremonies. Obviously, this could not take place, but the NFL still delivered with an experience that everyone could rally around. Commissioner Roger Goodell announced the picks live from his phone, while analysts from ESPN gave their takes on each pick via webcam. Players had live cameras set up in their homes to capture what is quite possibly the best part of the draft, the players' reactions. Fans were still able to see these young men watch all their hard work and dedication pay off into the future they have always dreamed of. The 2020 NFL Draft gave fans something to look forward to, and , even though only for a couple days, took everyone’s mind off of the pandemic.
Virtual Event Example: Fox’s IHeart Living Room Concert
Of course, concerts are currently out of commission, but on March 29, Fox gave everyone an hour long ad-free concert from the comfort of their own living rooms. Hosted by Elton John, the show gave fans a look into the homes of our favorite music stars as they performed their biggest hits. Billie Eilish performed her hit song ‘Bad Guy’, and Backstreet Boys all sang ‘I Want It That Way’ from their respective living rooms. It gave the world an hour of endless entertainment, and raised money for the World Health Organization at the same time.
The Future of Virtual Events
We will be relying on virtual events to get us through how ever long this pandemic lasts, but we may be able to take some things from them once normal life ultimately resumes. As we saw in the example of Fox’s Living Room Concert, a wide range of different stars were able to perform from their own homes. Maybe in the future, you will see online music events, like festivals, that feature a large lineup of performers, but instead they will be at their home studios. The virtual aspect will give people the ability to watch from their homes, and eliminate the hassle of people having to go from stage to stage looking to see their favorite artists perform. Also, maybe certain aspects of companies that we now see can be done online will remain online after the quarantine is over. People can stay in the safety of their homes and still complete the work they need to.
Works Cited
Graham, Stephanie. “How COVID-19 Is Changing the Future of Virtual Events.” G2, research.g2.com/insights/how-covid-19-is-changing-virtual-events.
Layman, Madison, et al. “The Ultimate Guide to Virtual Events in 2020: Cvent Blog.” The Ultimate Guide to Virtual Events in 2020 | Cvent Blog, 10 Apr. 2020, www.cvent.com/en/blog/events/virtual-events.
Ryan, Jim. “Star-Studded 'Living Room Concert For America' Raises Over $1 Million For Coronavirus Aid.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 30 Mar. 2020, www.forbes.com/sites/jimryan1/2020/03/30/living-room-concert-for-america-brings-together-elton-john-lady-gaga-and-ellen-degeneres-raises-money-amid-coronavirus-pandemic/#70fbc3ae4045.
Seifert, Kevin. “The 2020 NFL Draft Is Going Virtual: How It Will Work, and What You Should Know.” ESPN, ESPN Internet Ventures, 17 Apr. 2020, www.espn.com/nfl/draft2020/story/_/id/29026049/the-2020-nfl-draft-going-virtual-how-work-should-know.
“The Dos and Don'ts of Hosting a Successful Virtual Event.” Freeman, 23 Apr. 2020, www.freeman.com/insights/the-dos-and-donts-of-hosting-a-successful-virtual-event.