Virtual events are digital gatherings of people connecting online. Users can host meetings on a video conferencing platform or specialized event software, making it easier for attendees to join without spending much or any money. Since there are no location restrictions, the reach you gain is huge. Anyone can come from anywhere.
However, keeping attendees engaged can sometimes still be a huge challenge. Leading video conferencing solution Provide polls, breakout rooms, and other tools to address this issue.
The market is trending upward, with continued technology improvements supporting these capabilities.The virtual event platform market is expected to reach Will reach US$30.6 billion in 2027up from $12.4 billion in 2022.
Read the statistics below to learn more about the latest trends in virtual events and learn how to optimize them for your needs.
Popular virtual event statistics
A lot has changed in the way businesses hold trade shows and events. Since people still prefer face-to-face interactions, planning now includes preparing for both in-person and virtual interactions.
Take a look at the trends in this space.
- In 2021, 30% of trade shows combined in-person and virtual meetings.
- More than half of marketers prefer in-person events to hybrid or online events.
- 20 minutes is the ideal length of a meeting, as 68% of your audience is able to stay focused during this time.
49%
of marketers say the success or failure of a campaign depends on the people involved.
Source: Event Intelligence
- To make events more fun and interactive, 59% of organizers use games.
- By 2024, events will be 59% in-person and 20% hybrid. This goes to show how quickly things are changing in the world of event planning and operations.
- 58% of marketers find it difficult to capture their audience’s attention.
- Some companies offer prizes (30%) and games (59%) to attract attendees.
- 91% of large event organizers make money from sponsoring conferences.
Why are virtual events popular?
People prefer to attend events virtually because they can connect from anywhere. Because of this, Webinarlive broadcast, and Q&A Conferences are becoming more and more popular. Let’s explore some statistics that show the growing interest in virtual events.
- 99% of companies consider webinars to be key to their event strategy.
- Half of those who attend online events prefer webinars.
- In 2021, 75% of marketers use live video.
- By 2022, even with fewer social distancing rules, 40% of events will still be online. People love online events because they can attend from anywhere.
72%
Professionals in the UK and Ireland hope to continue hosting online events in 2022.
Source: Forbes
- Future events will include virtual, in-person and hybrid types.
- According to data from TrueList, LinkedIn’s live broadcast volume increased by more than 400% in 2020.
- Hybrid events have their problems. Many companies are interested in this but find it difficult to create satisfactory functionality.
- Nearly 40% of people at mixed events felt excluded.
What people are saying about virtual events
People prefer virtual events because of their flexibility, but they also crave in-person events to create more personal connections. Let these statistics show you how people really feel about virtual events.
- Global event marketers believe online events will grow by 5% in 2022.
- In the U.S. and Canada, 45% of B2B marketers believe live streaming will be key for 2022 events. 38% of respondents prioritize viewing live events via mobile devices, and 37% seek better branding opportunities.
- 45.7% of marketers focus on generating leads from online events.
- 68% of B2B marketers believe in-person events are best for generating leads.
- 80% of people attend online events to learn something, and 72.5% say learning is their main goal. Less than 10% are trying to network.
- 55% of marketers use online events to improve customer relationships, educate and retain customers.
- The average online time is 54 minutes, but most people only watch 37 minutes.
62%
of event organizers plan to continue attracting online attendees by hosting hybrid events in 2022.
Source: Skift Conference
- 58% of online meetings have less than 300 live viewers.
- 15% of employees do household chores during Zoom meetings.
- 67% of planners experience technical issues. 71% find it difficult to keep both online and in-person audiences engaged.
- An average online event has 12 sessions. Short meetings of less than 20 minutes are recommended for the most meaningful interaction.
- 78% of businesses use event apps to drive engagement and handle registrations.
- 63% of marketers say event apps will be important for future events.
- The app helps potential attendees stay up to date and learn more about the event.
virtual uptrend
Based on the statistics above, we can see how successful virtual events are at generating leads for marketers while helping many attendees learn new things. They are also a place to build connections and networks to cultivate key business relationships.
When managing virtual or hybrid events, some technical glitches and engagement challenges remain. However, businesses are developing innovative solutions to address these issues.
Overall, the virtual events space is on the rise and the market is likely to reach its predicted value within the next four years.
Want to host a virtual event?Check The leading virtual events platform You can use digital experiences to deliver the value of a live event.
