The events industry never seems to slow down. The video conferencing market alone is projected to reach a whopping £8 billion in 2025; and much of this growth may be attributed to organisations discovering what some planners have been saying for a while — virtual conferences are here to stay. But what is a virtual conference exactly, and why have they stuck around like a song you just can’t stop humming?
If you ask the north-west of England’s ConnectIn Events, they’ll tell you that a virtual conference has all the same features of an in-person event — with a digital makeover. Unlike one-way webinars (that rely on people observing), these are genuinely interactive experiences that can work wonders for engagement.
Here, ConnectIn Events explains the reasons for the enduring popularity of online gatherings.
What is a Virtual Conference?
So, when you strip away the jargon, what is a virtual conference? Picture this: all the energy of a bustling conference centre, but you can attend in your comfiest slippers (camera off, ideally!).
These digital events pack in everything you’d expect: live presentations that actually hold your interest, breakout sessions where you can slip out of your shell, and dedicated virtual networking spaces. Planners sometimes include digital exhibition halls where you can browse without sore feet, and real-time chat that’s just as entertaining as many WhatsApp groups.
The platforms behind these virtual conferences are pretty impressive too — in fact some can handle thousands of people without breaking a sweat. You get multiple “rooms” to hop between, which is just like wandering through a real venue, except there’s no chance of getting lost or missing sessions because you couldn’t find the loo!
The Numbers
The data surrounding virtual conference adoption tells a compelling story. 63% of virtual event organisers planned to invest more in virtual events in 2025, demonstrating continued confidence in the format against the steady pull of in-person alternatives.
Virtual events are now chosen by a third of planners, showing they’re an evergreenoption for huge scores of attendees. This sustained popularity could be explained by the unique advantages virtual conferences offer over more traditional formats.
Why Virtual Conferences Are Here to Stay?
Here’s why these types of event have remained so popular in the world of event management:
- Budget-Friendly Brilliance: Online conferences are basically the Aldi of the events world – brilliant quality at prices that won’t make your finance director lose sleep. Organisations can wave goodbye to (or certainly trim) venue hire, catering bills, and those eye-watering travel expenses. Your budget will thank you!
- Accessibility: Concerned about uptake for that upcoming conference in London? Well it’s now accessible to someone in the Scottish Highlands without the travel expenses and/or an overnight stay. Virtual conferences lower barriers by slashing costs and travel times, making events genuinely inclusive.
- Green Credentials: Virtual events are wonderfully eco-friendly. Without the mass exodus of cars, trains, and planes, you can attend guilt-free without stressing about your carbon footprint. Virtual events offer unique value like global reach, cost savings, and eco-friendliness — so attendees can have their cake and eat it too — all from the comfort of their sofa
- Data Goldmine: The data geeks among us (we know who we are!) absolutely
The Future of Virtual Events
Virtual conferences are rising in popularity faster than the average person can unmute themselves. As technology keeps getting better — think VR integration that doesn’t make you dizzy and networking features that work seamlessly — virtual conferences are only going to get more exciting.
For experienced event planners like ConnectIn Events, the question isn’t whether to jump on the virtual bandwagon (spoiler: that ship has sailed), but how to make virtual conferences work brilliantly for your audience. The numbers speak for themselves: virtual conferences deliver real value to those involved, and they’re likely to remain popular for a long time to come.
If you need help elevating your next online gathering, speak to the guys at ConnectIn Events today!
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