Event managers, IT experts, and A/V professionals have been tested this year unlike any before when it comes to getting the highest return from their live video streaming investments. While utilization rates have spiked due to the shift from on-site to virtual and hybrid events, buyers are more educated than ever about the capabilities of video technology, and how to effectively connect with audiences worldwide.
Given the evolving expectations of event hosts and attendees, BlueJeans partnered with IDG to survey 200 respondents across different industries about their virtual event experiences. Focusing on engagement challenges and opportunities surrounding virtual events and creating return visitors out of customers and stakeholders, the survey reveals much about the importance of choosing the right technology to help accomplish these goals.
Get the full whitepaper here.
Key Findings and Trends
On average, respondents to the survey attended 20 virtual events in 2020. Some attended even more: 37% attended between 10–25 events in the last year, and another 25% attended between 25–50 events. The most common type of virtual event was the webinar (56%). Other common formats included online training (55%) and professional conferences (54%). Respondents turned to virtual events for a variety of purposes, including social gatherings, training, and marketing webinars. And the interest in continuing to do so shows no sign of waning: 83% expect their virtual event attendance to increase post-pandemic.
The overnight switch to remote events meant organizations had short time to properly evaluate each market solution in detail. In the months (and events) that followed, managers developed a seasoned perspective on what works and what doesn’t for an acceptable alternative to in-person networking, panel discussions, education, and product demonstrations. These event types and the solutions that deliver them highlight two overarching necessities for event success: End user experience and interactivity.
  • 83% of respondents indicated that their expectations of virtual events are higher since the start of the pandemic—and they care more now about their experience than ever before.
  • Survey respondents clearly prefer live panel discussions (46%) and onstage presentations with multimedia elements (42%).

Among the leading factors that motivate virtual event engagement, quality and professionalism of video and audio, opportunities for audience participation, and app integrations are most important to respondents.

To learn more about the evolving virtual events market and to better understand what are key areas of focus that will help you deliver the best experience. Read the IDG Whitepaper “Wow Them with Your Virtual Events” here.