Key Statistics for Planning Your Next Virtual Event

General Statistics

• An astounding 97% of event marketers believe we will see more hybrid events in 2021. (Bizzabo)
• The majority (93%) of event marketers plan to invest in virtual events moving forward. (Bizzabo)
• Over half (54%) of virtual event registrants convert to virtual attendees. (Bizzabo)
• The “most popular” virtual event type is small gatherings, followed by networking events and round-table discussions. (Markletic)

Preparation Phase Statistics

• For small virtual events, most people need between 3-6 weeks to promote the event successfully. (Markletic)
• For large virtual events, 65% of marketers need more than 6 weeks to promote the event and drive the desired amount of registrations. (Markletic)
• Just under half (39.5%) of event organizers found it easier to find great speakers for virtual events. (Bizzabo)
• Over half (68.8%) of event marketers believe it is more difficult to provide networking opportunities when hosting a virtual event. (Bizzabo)
• As virtual versions of conferences and trade shows continue, the demand for educational content will continue. Certification courses and skill -building workshops is expected to continue.

Promotions Phase Statistics

• Event planners listed social media as the most effective tool for event marketing (74%), followed by email marketing (66%), their website (60%) and event registration site (26%). (EventMB)
• 39% of marketers say that their sales team generates a significant amount of registrations. (Markletic)

Success and Challenges Statistics

• 70% of event organizers say that good microphones are critical to a successful event. Microphones are more important than a camera (ranked at 60%). (Markletic)
• 57% of attendees believe they can conduct the majority of their event objectives online. (Reed Exhibitions)
• The top reason for the 27% of businesses who didn’t conduct an online event was “We don’t know how to get participants to attend a virtual event.” (Wild Apricot)
• 3 in 4 event marketers (74%) do not charge for virtual events. (Event MB)

Engagement Statistics

• 43% of virtual event registrants attend live, while 13% attend on demand. (Intrado).
• Q&A sessions and talks were among the top engagement techniques among organizations and businesses who conducted virtual events. “The most successful technique, however, was hosting a live hangout before or after the event, followed by conducting a survey or poll.” (Wild Apricot)
• Forty percent of all virtual meetings experience technical disruption and audience fatigue because of this. In addition to internet speed, production quality including camera quality, sound, and lighting should also be considered. (AMEX Global Business Travel)