Expanding Global Reach Through Virtual Events

Updated 7/20/21:

Though we in the US are (hopefully) on the other side of the Covid-19 pandemic, we at BLME still wholeheartedly recommend sticking with virtual events. This doesn’t mean that all corporate events going forward need to be completely virtual, but we strongly advise creating a virtual component for every live event moving forward.

This is because through the pandemic, we learned that virtual events open up your reach to audiences that were previously unattainable. 

Even though in-person events are now an option, some people may still want to attend virtually to take advantage of those lifted barriers we outlined below. Not having to book a flight, secure a hotel, and commit a full day (or more) to an event may encourage more people to take part.

In addition, having a virtual component to your live event provides the ease of access we mentioned previously. If someone is unavailable during the actual event, having a virtual component can allow would-have-been live attendees to view a recording of the event or have access to the presentations given. 

For the sake of expanding your event’s reach, we recommend providing a virtual component to all in-person events in this current pandemic climate. Looking for the perfect platform? Contact us to learn about our preferred partners.

Originally Published 12/16/20:

Most people would probably guess that we are just itching to get back to in-person events and do away with virtual events. While the former is true, the latter is not. We’ve learned many things throughout this global pandemic, one of the most important of them being the positive impact virtual events have on our reach. Virtual formats allow our events to reach audiences we never could before. In fact, we now plan to have a virtual aspect for every event that we have moving forward, even post-pandemic. 

We consulted with Beth, founder and owner of BLME, to elaborate on how and why expanding global reach through virtual events occurs.  

Expanding Global Reach Through Virtual Events

Lifted Barriers

“With virtual events, we see many of the barriers to entry being lifted as compared to live events. Before, attendees would have to consider booking flights, hotel accommodations, travel, and meals outside of the cost of the event itself,” Beth says. 

In a virtual event format, many of said barriers become moot. We no longer have to be confined by an event’s location, as the location of participants can be anywhere across the globe. The logistics of garnering an audience from various locations is extremely simplified - going from booking the accommodations Beth speaks of above to simply making sure participants can access the virtual event platform via their Internet connection. This allows said events to reach people wouldn’t have been able to before. 

Virtual events not only expand the pool of our attendees, but also provide access to wider selection of panelists, speakers, and content. “Now, accessing world-renowned speakers, international events, and educational programs has never been easier,” Beth explains. “I invite everyone to see this as an opportunity to expand live events and activations in the future, rather than a hindrance to the live event experience.”

Access Anytime, Anywhere

With in-person events, if someone is not available at the exact time and location of the event, they cannot attend or participate. However, with virtual events, that is not the case. Out of town the night of the big gala? Simply join the webinar from your hotel room. Didn’t get out of work on time? Stream the event broadcast on your phone during your commute home.

"There were so many times in the past where I wanted to attend an event in the city, for example, but I had a meeting that ran long in the suburbs and was unable to attend the event, and therefore receive a return on my investment,” explains Beth. With a virtual format or aspect, this dilemma can be avoided by “attending” the event virtually. This expands the events’ reach because people who may not have been able to be on location at the event time can still join in. 

In addition, an event can now reach audiences even after it has passed. With in-person events, once the event is over, it’s over. But with virtual events, you can record and save the content for people to access at a later date. As with the location aspect, this allows those who are not available to attend or log on at the exact event time to still be involved. “Now, with access to live virtual experiences as well as the opportunity to charge for, or allow tickets to access, replays, there are multiple ways to ensure that your attendees, sponsors and partners receive the most from the experience,” Beth elaborates. 

As we said above, the pandemic has caused us to learn about the benefits of virtual events. Because we have been expanding global reach through virtual events, we aim to have a virtual aspect to every event we work on moving forward.