The post-pandemic event landscape has slowly taken shape over the course of the past year. With new technologies emerging and the go-to tools becoming clearer, many organizers now have a blueprint for creating an effective and engaging event despite the changed environment.
It comes as no surprise that more organizers are now opting to host activations with virtual elements to create a hybrid experience that can thrive under new circumstances, such as the pandemic or travel limitations.
Here are three ways meeting professionals can benefit from recent technological developments to future-proof their events post-pandemic.
Take Recordings
One thing that has become more apparent during the pandemic is the importance of event accessibility. Whether people are not yet vaccinated, must self-isolate or still do not feel comfortable attending busy venues, having an option that can accommodate all delegates is key to making an event as inclusive as possible.
Keeping visual and audio recordings of events, or live streaming them, is a great way to offer alternative methods for viewing event content without having to create new, virtual-specific talks, panels or seminars, while ensuring ticket sales aren’t heavily impacted.
Using technology to provide high-quality video recordings of talks at live activations allows those who are attending to experience the event in its full capacity while virtual attendees can benefit from the same content.
These recordings can also be used elsewhere either as marketing material or as a pay-per-view service post-event to advertise the quality of talks and boost revenue after the event has finished, further future-proofing the event.
Read More: West Hollywood Takes to Virtual, Sees Amazing Results
Take Networking Online
One of the key live event components that was missed most during government lockdowns was networking and being able to go and meet new people, build connections and develop business opportunities.
Post-pandemic, people will inevitably have mixed feelings about close contact, especially with strangers. While social distancing is no longer a government mandate, the public will likely still be cautious when it comes to meeting new people in small spaces.
Taking advantage of digital platforms and taking networking online can allow people to still communicate and discover opportunities safely and securely. Supporting this alternative way of networking allows organizers to cater for those with varying levels of comfort when it comes to being in close contact with new people at events. Those who are happy to network traditionally can, and for those wanting to take a more cautious approach, online networking provides a safer alternative.
Digital networking also widens the pool of people attendees are likely to meet. It allows new delegates who wouldn’t usually be able to attend in person due to geographical boundaries to join in a virtual capacity.
Digitize as Much as Possible
The pandemic has forced events to advance a long way in a short period of time. With organizers having to plan their events around restrictions, enhanced safety precautions and public concern, there has been a push to adapt events so they can remain an important part of the business calendar.
Many traditional aspects of events now have digital counterparts to benefit virtual attendees and organizers should continue to take advantage of these long after the pandemic and restrictions end.
Digitizing as much content as possible is a great way to directly give attendees the information they need—whether they are virtual or live. For example, maps, schedules, sign-ups and bookings can all be transferred to a digital alternative to reduce the need for physical contact, minimize costs for things such as printing and distribution and create a streamlined experience for users.
Conclusion
The events landscape is going to look very different post-pandemic, and organizers need to adapt with the times if they want to reap maximum returns from their events.
By focusing on new technologies to improve ease of use, flexibility and safety, organizers can create future-proofed events that have the ability thrive.
Based in Florida, John D’Adamo, head of sales with VenuIQ, boasts more than 10 years of experience within the events industry and has built long standing relationships with some of the world’s most respected brands.
