• by Ray Schultz , January 25, 2021

Email specialists tasked with promoting virtual events should know that engagement is one of the two main obstacles organizers face, according to the 2021 Virtual Event Benchmarks, a study by Bizzabo. The other is networking. 

Still, virtual events proliferated last year, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Of those of who registered, 50% converted — that is, they actually attended. And they were engaged for 53% of virtual sessions.  

Granted, there was a low barrier to entry — 80% of virtual event registrations were free between March and June, and that number remained consistent through the year.

Of the relatively few paid events, the average price was $443 in the last six months of 2020, up from $378 in Q2. 

Event organizers can break out their lists by attendance, and personalize their emails accordingly. 

Despite that, “there are inherent limitations around meeting virtually,” states Alon Alroy, co-founder, CMO and CCO of Bizzabo.

In-person events are irreplaceable, both organizers and attendees say, Alroy adds.  

“This is why we believe hybrid events, which combine the best of virtual and in-person events, are how organizers can best future-proof their event programs,” Alroy continues. 

Alroy concludes, “Virtual events are helping forward-thinking business leaders and marketers break down the barriers of place, cost and time, and navigate the coronavirus pandemic.”  

Bizzabo analyzed 1,850 virtual events between July 1 and October 31, 2020.