Do virtual events still have a place in an In-Person Post-Covid world?
Jeannine Parise
Building Bridges & Breaking Barriers: Curating Meaningful Experiences for Powerful Connections + Empowering Women in Business & Beyond
In a Post-Covid world of returning to In-Person events, is there still value in sponsoring and attending virtual events targeted to your clients?
My answer is: Absolutely Yes. And here's why...
While being in-person is great there are several drawbacks. The number one drawback being it is expensive. Not only is it expensive but it's time consuming with non-work related time. While "Sellers" enjoy this unstructured time to "wine-and-dine" potential customers, the "Buyers" and their respective companies are seeing low return and ROI from attending these "boondoggles". In fact, many companies see Virtual/Zoom-type events as a very cost effect way to obtain content and engage with peers.
At ClubVMSA, we perceive virtual events as, in effect, warming up a cold call. If the event is funded solely through sponsors, even better. The event MC or moderator should set the expectations of the audience in this way: let us give thanks to our sponsors for they are the only reason we are able to meet today. If one of them reaches out to you after the event take a moment accept their call or InMail and see if you can help them out. You never know you might find your next partner.
Virtual events are a highly effective and productive way to fill your pipeline with qualified leads, make meaningful connections, and understand the overall challenges of your prospects. More importantly, the Buyers and their respective companies see high value in Virtual events as a way to gain relevant industry content at a very low investment of time and money. This translates as high ROI for all!
ClubVMSA brings the global talent ecosystem together in virtual and in-person experiences at www.clubvmsa.com/events.
Total Talent Acquisition Leader and Strategist | Relationship builder | Continuous improvement enthusiast | SIA DE&I Influencer (3 times) and Contingent Workforce Program Game Changer (twice)
2yJeannine Parise and Jim Coughlin ClubVMSA balances this SO WELL and I believe it is a model that other organizations supporting other industries could follow. While I love the in-person events, I totally agree there is a (substantial) place for building strong virtual pathways to delivering information and making connections.