How to Successfully Digitize Events
Though several conferences and events have started to offer virtual access over the years, or a blend of in-person and online components, COVID-19’s gathering restrictions have amplified interest in virtual attendance. So much so that some suppliers have been required go online if they want to stay relevant, but some are taking it one step further turning their shows into something out of the future.
Options for virtual meetings have expanded from simple video calls, to interactive forums, live performances, augmented reality and more, transporting attendees from their living rooms and home offices to virtual conference centres, captivating stages and endless product halls.
With so many platforms available, you’d be hard-pressed not to find the perfect digital venue for your virtual event needs, along with some incredible add-ons to keep your audiences engaged. To help you find the best of the best, we’ve pulled together three incredible events that are taking full advantage of all that technology has to offer (including one we can’t wait to sink our teeth into):
Tomorrowland
What started 15 years ago as a niche music festival in Belgium, Tomorrowland has become the world’s premiere EDM fest, stretching over two weekends long and selling out almost instantly. With massive moving stages, over-the-top light shows and pyrotechnics, Tomorrowland’s legendary stage production provides an unbelievable experience for 400,000 attendees by transporting them to the “world of tomorrow.”
Despite cancelling the 2020 Tomorrow Winter event and its annual summer smash due to COVID-19 restrictions, festival organizers decided to create Tomorrowland 2020 – a digital festival bringing the in-person experience to attendees self-isolating around the world. Keeping in line with its futuristic vibe and its eagerness to be one step ahead of any other festival, Tomorrowland 2020 turned to the best technology providers to deliver a virtual version of the Tomorrowland Village. From 3D artistic renderings, to green screen “stages” for performers, to incredible digital light shows, Tomorrowland 2020 knocked attendee expectations out of the park with immersive technology, interactive elements and more.
Over one million people bought tickets and tuned in to the live sets, with reviewers touting the tech for making them feel as united as they would have been at the real festival. The success of Tomorrowland 2020 yields two key lessons for those considering digitizing their own events:
Don’t ever underestimate market demand for positive experiences. Given the year we’ve had, the world is looking for every chance to celebrate something, especially if it’s as immersive and interactive as a music festival.
Don’t skimp on technology. The Tomorrowland team used the best camera, sound, virtual and animation technology, working with more than 200 experts to create an unforgettable experience in 3 months that would have normally taken 2 years to pull together.
Watch the full video about the creation of Tomorrowland: Around the World here:
Cvent CONNECT Virtual
You’d expect nothing less from an event marketing and managing company than a stellar virtual event of its own. Cvent’s annual CONNECT conference went virtual for the first time this year, on the company’s newly released platform. The Virtual Attendee Hub offered guests not only a great experience, but a way to get to know Cvent’s latest product personally.
In an era where digitizing meetings and conferences is more important than ever, the conference inspired and educated, sharing struggles and insights across the travel and hospitality industries to arm event professionals with the tools to tackle the “new normal” head-on.
As to be expected, switching to virtual access increased participation drastically, with Cvent seeing an increase in attendance by over 830% compared to their 2019 in-person event in La Vegas. The virtual conference was the largest gathering of event and hospitality professionals in history.
What we learned from Cvent CONNECT Virtual:
Get creative with your platform and product. Cvent CONNECT made sure attendees interacted with the product they were most excited to showcase by MAKING it the platform they used. Immersing audiences in your key elements is a fantastic way to drive engagement and interest.
No walls mean no borders. By pivoting to a virtual event, brands are no longer confined to building capacities, travel requirements or border barriers – attendees can attend from the comfort of their homes from anywhere in the world, opening the door to international attendance and expanded brand visibility.
#RCShow 2021 ONLINE LIVE
Slated for February 28 – March 3, 2021, the RCShow 2021 ONLINE LIVE is becoming exactly that – “online,” and “live” – but with the added twist of “inside your home” with new augmented reality technology.
Canada’s leading foodservice and hospitality event is back for four action-packed days of empowering thought leadership, research, trends and insights, showcasing cutting-edge products and innovative solutions and much more. With this year’s theme of “Feeding The Recovery” in mind, the Show aims to unite the industry by inviting chefs, baristas, bartenders, sommeliers, foodservice operators, distributors, brokers, retailers and buyers to join ONLINE LIVE, in efforts to Rebuild, Reinvent and Reconnect the industry like never before.
Operating on a custom-built platform by Canadian company NexTech AR Solutions, RC Show 2021 will offer a dynamic platform with AR and holographic experiences – think pressing a button and seeing a refrigerator, stove or other restaurant product, to scale and from home, or the restaurant. Also on the docket is a B2B marketplace offering interactive online booths with live chat and one-on-one live video meetings and demonstrations, plus RC Show’s signature Hospitality Week events.
Key takeaways:
Cover ALL of your audience’s touchpoints. RC Show attendees can shop, taste, learn and connect virtually without missing a beat.
Get people inspired and engaged! Competitions, workshops and world-class education sessions by top local and global experts keep people entertained and interested.
Conference for the future. With forward-thinking programming and world-class thought leadership, attendees will be more inclined to pay attention -- innovators and influencers will be live and on-demand at the RC Show, and tailored to educate, motivate and inspire the industry to help operators grow their businesses during, post and beyond.
