TOP 7 Types of Virtual Events To Host in 2023

What are virtual events?

A virtual event is a concept that most people have been familiar with for a long time. People gather for a specific reason, whether for a virtual conference, meetup, trade show, or exhibition, to share knowledge, find leads, or network.

The digitalized world offers the same opportunities online by utilizing webinars, online gatherings, 3D events, and occasional meetings. All in all, virtual events allow you to visit many places without leaving your favorite chair.

We’ve compiled a list of the most popular types of virtual events so that you can choose which one best fits your interests. If you’re looking to host an event, whatever idea you have in mind, we’ve got you covered.

Benefits of virtual events

1. Increased flexibility
   Virtual online events can be more flexible in terms of scheduling. They can make content available at any time, which can be especially useful for attendees in different time zones or those with busy schedules. It can also help increase engagement and participation since guests can choose the most relevant sessions to their interests and needs.
2. Cost efficiency
   Hosting virtual events is less expensive than in-person events since there is no need to rent a venue or pay for travel and lodging for attendees and speakers. Additionally, virtual events can be less labor-intensive to organize and manage as you don’t need to coordinate catering, security, or other logistics. 
3. The audience loves it
   You can see speakers in the comfort of their home offices. It’s something that would never happen at an in-person event. On the one hand, you can’t just walk up to the speaker to do some networking. But on the other hand, a virtual event online allows us to connect with people no matter where they are.
4. Engaging content
   Surprisingly, people find online content more interesting. It’s one of the most valuable benefits of virtual events. Where in-person events were popular for networking purposes, virtual events now allow attendees to learn more about a company. The growing popularity of virtual events is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
5. Greater reach
   Virtual events make it possible to reach a wider audience since anyone with an internet connection can participate regardless of where they are located. It can be especially beneficial for virtual business events that build a global community or share knowledge and best practices across different regions or industries.
6. More customization
   It’s a benefit to plan hosted virtual events that allow organizers to tailor the event to attendees’ specific needs and interests. To customize virtual events to meet the needs and interests of specific audiences, you can use features such as personalized agendas, tailored content, and targeted messaging.

Types of virtual events to host in 2023

#1 Virtual Conferences & Meetups

Virtual conferences and meetups are online events that aim to bring people together for networking, learning, and collaboration.

Instead of meeting in person, attendees join an event through an online platform that enables them to interact with speakers, exhibitors, and other participants in real time. The platform typically offers a variety of features, such as live and on-demand sessions, chat rooms, video conferencing, and virtual exhibit halls.

Even though online events don’t have the same in-person effect as offline events, they have plenty of their own perks. Virtual spaces allow organizers to streamline conferences and meetups of any size. The good thing is that the audience can see the keynotes on their screen, create an event plan, and communicate through chats. There are many different examples of virtual conferences ranging from:

• Workshops
• Panel discussions
• Product launch
• Presentations with live and pre-recorded talks

#2 Online Trade Shows & Virtual Exhibitions

Online trade shows and virtual exhibitions have become increasingly popular in recent years as a way for businesses to showcase their products and services in a virtual environment. These often take the form of virtual cultural events.

These events provide attendees with an immersive and interactive experience, allowing them to explore virtual booths, chat with exhibitors, and access resources such as brochures, videos, and product demos.

One of the main challenges of online trade shows and virtual exhibitions is creating engaging and immersive virtual experiences for attendees. You can resolve this problem through interactive features such as virtual reality, gamification, and live product demonstrations.

Virtual events strive to reach a global-specific audience. When planning a trade show, getting as many people as possible to register is crucial to maximizing traffic for sponsors. Once you have thousands of people signed up, you can use chat tools to educate them about your offerings.

#3 Virtual Webinars

Virtual webinars are online events typically involving a presentation or lecture delivered over the internet in real time. This type of virtual event experience can be interactive and offer a platform for attendees to ask questions and participate in discussions.

Webinars are one of the most widespread online events of the last few years, along with meetups and workshops. One can conduct live webinars to educate people about a product, save it, and use the archived version to sell at a later time. You just record it once and then sell it to individual customers. It’s especially powerful if the information you are providing is valuable to a specific audience.

Virtual webinars offer a highly effective and convenient way to deliver educational and informational content to a global audience. It can be interactive, allowing attendees to engage with the presenter and with each other through various communication channels such as chat rooms, Q&A sessions, and polls.

#4 Online Music Concerts

Online music concerts in virtual spaces are a relatively new concept that has emerged in recent years and offers a unique and immersive experience for artists and fans.

Just like virtual events, online music concerts aren’t going anywhere, they’ve even expanded into movie theatres. They allow people to experience their favorite artists live. Three countries, the UK, the US, and Canada, began doing this type of event online. More and more online concerts are becoming available to allow audiences to visit almost any global event.

Another advantage of online music concerts in virtual spaces is the possible level of creativity and interactivity. Musicians can include interactive elements in their performances, such as virtual stage designs and visual effects, that can enhance the overall experience for fans’ virtual gatherings.

Fans can also engage with the musicians and with each other through chat rooms and other communication tools, creating a more immersive experience.

#5 Virtual university fairs

With the rise of virtual events, it’s easier to pick a college or a university. You can simply attend any open-door event, talk to people, get first-hand information, and that’s it. You’re ready to make a choice.

Moreover, there are plenty of educational events to attend while studying. Virtual events allow you to visit as many events as you want and build a schedule that suits your needs.

Such virtual event ideas for student organizations allow students to explore different educational opportunities, learn more about various institutions, and get answers to their questions from representatives of the universities and colleges. Here are some specific benefits of virtual university fairs:

• Access to a Wide Range of Institutions.
  Virtual university fairs provide prospective students with access to a wide range of institutions from all over the world, giving them the ability to explore various educational opportunities that they may not have known about.
• Interactive Booths.
  Universities and colleges set up interactive booths at virtual university fairs. These booths allow prospective students to explore different programs and learn more about what each institution has to offer. These booths can provide information such as admission requirements, scholarships, campus life, and more.
• Live Chat.
  One of the main advantages of virtual university fairs is the ability for students to communicate with university representatives in real time through live chat. This allows students to ask questions and get immediate answers, providing a more personalized experience

#6 3D virtual events

3D virtual events are virtual events that use 3D virtual environments to create an immersive experience. In a 3D virtual event, participants can interact with each other and the virtual environment using avatars or digital representations of themselves. These are different types of virtual events, from conferences and trade shows to product launches, concerts, and social events.

If you need to host an event and want it to be unconventional, a 3D virtual event may be up your alley. One such platform for this is Party.Space. It allows you to host a virtual or hybrid event that can be tailored around any topic. For instance, if you’re about to celebrate a birthday party or something like St. Patrick’s Day, Party.Space has you covered with virtual theme rooms.

#7 Hybrid events

Hybrid events are events that combine both in-person and virtual components. They can be a mix of in-person and virtual attendees or a combination of in-person and virtual sessions. Hybrid events are becoming increasingly popular as they offer the benefits of both in-person and virtual events.

If you still have doubts about hybrid events, let’s clarify this once and for all. If an offline event is also hosted online, that’s the definition of a hybrid event. It’s a win-win as it brings together the best of both worlds and can be virtual events for work and fun. Depending on your preference, you can choose whether to attend the event online or in person.

Summing up the types of virtual events

Virtual events have become increasingly popular due to their convenience, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. There are many types of virtual events to choose from, each with its own unique benefits and characteristics.

• Webinars are a popular type of virtual event that are used for education and training, product demos, and thought leadership. They are typically presented live and can be recorded for future viewing.

• Virtual conferences and meetups are online versions of traditional in-person conferences and events. They allow attendees to network, attend presentations, and participate in breakout sessions, all from the comfort of their own homes.

• Online trade shows and virtual exhibitions provide a platform for companies to showcase their products and services. Attendees can explore virtual booths, chat with representatives, and attend product demos and webinars.

• Online music concerts in virtual spaces have become increasingly popular, providing a way for musicians to connect with their fans in a virtual environment.

• Virtual university fairs provide an opportunity for students to connect with universities and learn about different programs and courses.

• 3D virtual events provide an immersive experience and allow guests to explore virtual environments and interact with others using avatars.

• Hybrid events offer a mix of in-person and virtual experiences, providing increased flexibility, engagement options, and cost savings.

When choosing your virtual event type, it is essential to consider the objectives and goals of the event, as well as the needs and preferences of the target audience.

It is also vital to ensure that the platform and technology used for the event are reliable, user-friendly, and provide a high-quality experience for all participants.