Physical, virtual or hybrid – event digitalisation and taking it to the next level

This post is sponsored by Above Creative Events.

It is clear the pandemic has significantly moved the world online while the business operations of all sectors have changed. The rapid pace of digital transformation is accelerating and creating value with new revenue streams.

Nearly all corporations have invested in digital technologies and implemented them into their business strategies in order to fulfil market demands. In fact, the smart integration posed a few challenges for executives – costs, work progress, and IT roles. But most corporations have successfully embraced digital innovation and welcomed the positive impacts.

Digitalisation in the event management industry

“The event is no longer for on-ground only”

Digitalisation is an evolving topic in today’s industry. In the event management industry, there have been many critical developments in recent years. While today’s community is increasingly familiar with the internet on a daily basis and its benefits – online purchasing and remote meetings have become more preferable for consumers with their convenience and effectiveness.

Likewise, technology has enhanced event management. Gone are the days where you had to physically attend an event with handshakes, hugs, and fist bumps. The physical events are irreplaceable, but the event management industry has introduced new options – virtual events and hybrid events.

2020 saw a massive shift towards physical events virtually. And virtual events became the norm in 2021. Most event marketers see the pros and cons of virtual events and will continuously produce them in the near future. But there is an increasing number of hybrid events planned for 2022, and beyond.

The future of events in the eyes of industry experts

We have witnessed a tremendous amount of event cancellations and postponements in the past few years. For event marketers, the pivot to online events has been a necessity, and as online event technologies continue to evolve, the benefits have been significant.

Online events bring large potential with their proven applications, which automate the work progress, expand the event awareness, maximise the event attendance, and empower the lead volume. The wealth of data collected, with higher accuracy, has provided powerful insights to identify the best sales and marketing strategies.

We understand that people value face-to-face interactions, and while virtual events are here to stay, physical events are not going to be replaced.

At the start of 2022, hybrid events have become a default option for event marketers. Hybrid events combine valuable touch-points from both the virtual and physical worlds.

The digital implementations in the offline components have granted more opportunities for a better and more sustainable way to gather the community together. Digital technologies help leverage the event experience where both live and online attendees can participate and interact with each other.

Rethinking the best fit with a digital nature

Hybrid events have so many unique strengths, but organising hybrid events is challenging. To effectively engage both worlds of audiences, event organisers must be aware of every minutest of details.

With that being said, successful hybrid events are not just about hosting events, the process includes creative designs and video producing, venue sourcing and virtual event platform creation, on-ground elements and online interaction features, and most importantly, the offline and digital marketing campaigns. Who will come to your events if they do not know there is an event?

As a professional event manager, a.c.e has built the expertise in organising world-class physical, virtual, and hybrid events. Different forms and types of events employ distinct event and marketing strategies.

In particular, the live, virtual or hybrid forms of conferences, exhibitions, or meetings need different project management skills. The focus plans will drive any remarkable event success. The future is unpredictable. But aligning with the event objectives and goals, a.c.e will assist you to decide what’s the best fit for your organisation.

Stepping out from the ordinary

The times of digital technologies are not temporary. There are more changes evolving and more lessons to be learned. Significantly, the event management industry has not slowed down during the crisis, but has expanded.

Since the digital components have fulfilled the demands of current event operations, the virtual event team is also expanding. Digital solutions are more than powerful to unlock rewarding business events.

a.c.e is an award-winning corporate event and virtual event management professional. You may find more information about our services and works on the official website. If you are ready to onboard your future-proof physical, virtual and hybrid events, reach us at hello@creativemalaysia.com.