Virtual Event Ideas for Companies

By now, people may be running out of virtual event ideas. For companies, this is especially true as daily/ weekly meetings are being held via web conferencing or phone calls. If watching and listening to presentations, speeches, and updates on the computer screen – boxes inside of boxes – is losing its novelty here are some fun virtual event ideas for companies to employ.

Any good event starts with a story. A single, unifying element that ties in all other sessions and moments (even the decor) is the underlying factor that helps make any event successful. How you tell that story is the second most important factor for a successful event. You are the author, and your event planner is your illustrator. Together, you can create an experience that is extraordinary!

How you present your material can change the way it is perceived simply by the presentation value and level of creativity. Losing that “human” touch forces hosts to look at upping the production level and creativity to make a virtual event “pop” and stand out from the others. Hosts have a lot to compete with, including user’s favorite websites, TV, home life, and cell phones, so it is vital to keep your virtual event engaging and appealing.

High production virtual events for companies can make all the difference for engagement and sales.

Pre-recording the event or elements of the event, has the added value of allowing you to focus on upping other levels of the presentation. Turn your speakers into a Docu-series worthy of binging on. It also allows speakers a chance to perfect their speeches and makes THEM look good too! Lastly, it maximizes views and absorbability by allowing the attendees to tune in at any time after the event for a refresher. This is especially excellent for those who were unable to attend the original meeting and eliminates issues with time zones.

Looks matter! If your attendees cannot gather at a nicely decorated venue, then turn your virtual space into the venue. Reduce box fatigue and increase interest with a virtual lounge, amphitheater, stage, and more. These familiar scenes with help the guests feel they are immersed in the event rather than sitting at their computer.

Ultize artists in creating content for your virtual event. From digital caricature artists (where portraits can be printed) to digital live scribing, adding an artistic perspective can make all the difference. They create engaging and entertaining content that is a visual representation of the most important takeaways.

The one thing that translates very well into a virtual event for companies is entertainment. By now, live musical performances are becoming commonplace. A private star studded concert has the added value of feeling as if the show is your backstage pass to an intimate performance.

Music isn’t the only option.

Virtual event ideas for companies specifically may include entertainment options with an added element of customization to tell their story. Comedians, motivational speakers and even magic shows all translate very well into the virtual space and have the ability to customize their performance.

For a bigger wow factor, try something utterly unique that many attendees would not get to experience otherwise. Joe the Sandman, featured on AGT, creates a story using sand and lights that can be filmed and streamed. Or go completely virtual and use our production team to create a roller coaster ride that passes through the timeline of your company! For an example, see the video below we created for Weber Metals to unveil it’s 60K press!

Add an interactive element – such as a voting option, for helping attendees participate in narrowing ideas that resonate with them. Listening to different pitches can get dull. Pitt the bulls against each other and invite your audience to vote on the best! Use props to help make this more engaging, such as 1-10 signs and help make them feel like judges on a TV show!

Don’t forget the swag! People love a good giveaway. Create an element of a contest similar to Family Feud to award the best gifts to (via mail). This keeps guests engaged during the event, increases participation, attendance AND, when the rewards arrive, re-engages them for a second time!

Breakouts are still key to feedback and brainstorming solutions. Virtual event ideas for companies must include an element of work along with engagement. Keeping these sessions organized and allowing time for everyone to participate can be a challenge with everyone speaking at once. A virtual mic hand-off and hand raising option can be designed and is a great tool for these sessions.

Employing a host to read typed questions out loud also helps reinforce creative thinking by utilizing multiple senses such as visual and auditory. It also gives the breakout session a leader to keep everyone on track, collect and unify feedback, and report back.

Keep sessions short and consider adding a timer or virtual hourglass to count down each session. Be sure to include restroom breaks for longer virtual events such as e-meetings or webinars. When attendees reach capacity or perfect attendance, consider celebrating it with a blast of virtual fireworks or a simple clip of music.

Look for ways to engage beyond just the screen. Planning ahead has its perks, including sending co-packages that support the virtual event. From appetizers  to props, there are thousands of ways you can turn your virtual event into a hybrid of technology and traditional elements to create something novel and exciting. Perhaps it is party hats to celebrate your CEO’s birthday along with custom branded charcuterie board sets, signs to hold up during specific cues, or white boards and markers to say THANKS to employees during a reflect and reward moment. Whatever your event, there are elements a well-seasoned event planner can suggest to help you turn into an extraordinary event.