Why is Networking at Virtual Events More Effective than Live Events?

If you ask for feedback from any attendee, exhibitor or sponsor about their virtual event experience, especially online exhibitions and trade shows, you will likely get a mixed bag of responses.

Many of them will stress on the power of live events as compared to a virtual one, touting the benefits of tangible interactions, the ability to create better connections due to face-to-face networking and their eagerness to get back to meeting people in person again.

While a live event certainly provides a more immersive experience for participants, there are several ways in which networking is easier and more advantageous at virtual events. 

Here are some of these benefits:

Easier to connect with participants 

If you want to connect with like-minded professionals at online exhibitions, you can do so with just a click of the button. Drop them a message through the chatbox, set up a 1:1 appointment, or visit their virtual profiles. If the event uses software like AI matchmaking, you can get a list of recommendations based on your preferences and connect with a diverse pool of participants. You won’t have to scour through endless bios of speakers, industry professionals or browse lists of company profiles to network.

Easier lead generation

All contact details of participants – from email addresses to LinkedIn and Twitter IDs – are readily available at the tip of your fingers at virtual events. You no longer have to chase people for their business cards or depend on lead scanning software to capture their information. This is especially helpful when you want to build a business relationship with an industry leader who may be quite inaccessible at physical events.

Greater engagement at Q&A sessions

Compared to an in-person event, it’s easier to participate in Q&A sessions at virtual events. You don’t have to keep waiting for your chance to speak, the experts are easily accessible, and attendees of a more reticent nature can also ask questions. The level of participation is considerably higher at virtual events and this can translate to greater opportunities.

Easy to Measure

At virtual events, attendee engagement with sponsors and exhibitors can be measured to the smallest detail. With the power of data-driven analysis, one can conclude which parts of the event (sessions, virtual booths, content hub) received the maximum interest from attendees, and which required improvement. The entire attendee journey can be mapped and evaluated against different virtual event KPIs to accelerate the sales pipeline.

Comfort in interaction

Common Sense, a children’s and media advocacy organisation, conducted a study in 2018 in which (compared to 2012) in which less than one-third of teenagers said they prefer chatting with friends face-to-face.

Many of the people attending events today are digital natives; they grew up in a world connected by the internet. They are used to making and maintaining relationships online – and may even give a better account of themselves.

Conclusion

Covid-related safety protocols have a tendency to hinder free communication among attendees at physical events, reducing the chances of striking productive conversations and building business relationships. And with pandemic-led restrictions expected to remain in place for the foreseeable future, virtual events will remain a safe medium for networking among industry professionals.