As people remain under stay-at-home orders across the U.S. and in-person events cannot be held, virtual events are taking on a new form as a way to keep people connected.
Live streaming, webinars and online fundraisers offer great solutions when in-person events cannot take place.
From networking to team building activities, to reinventing products and services, these new opportunities offer organizations ways to build relationships, engage employees and stay connected to clients online.
Why host a virtual event?
Hosting a virtual event is a great opportunity to stay connected with your community. Stay-at-home orders have limited how we work, socialize and network. It’s important to stay connected to your clients, partners and consumers during quarantine to maintain those relationships.
Virtual events can also be a way to provide information, ideas and solutions to help your community navigate through this challenging time and demonstrate that you will support them.
Some businesses, such as restaurants or wine stores, have created new sources of revenue by hosting virtual events.
Will people attend a virtual event?
Stay-at-home orders have eliminated the ability to go to the gym, restaurants, movie theaters, and social events. People still want access to those experiences which has created an opportunity to host them online. Gyms are hosting at home workouts; actors are hosting watch parties or behind the scene interviews to promote movies; restaurants are hosting virtual happy hours to keep their patrons connected.
While many people are working from home, and assisting children with online learning, they have more free time in their schedules because their social activities are limited. People still want to connect, and are looking for new types of entertainment online.
Virtual events to bring your community together
Arts & crafts party – Gather your community to paint, draw or color together. Lead participants through a demonstration of sewing, knitting, or creating a craft with materials they have on hand.
Wine or Food Tasting – Host a tasting of your favorite cheese, wine or product of your choice. Send the menu items to your guests in advance, or offer curbside pick-up if allowed, and provide instructions so they can set up prior to the event. Once the virtual event kicks off, you can share your knowledge with each product and invite them to share their experiences with others in the group.
Book club – Is there a best seller that’s been collecting dust on your night stand or tablet? Why not invite your community to read it with you? Participants can discuss the themes and lessons learned from your fiction or nonfiction book selection. Many authors provide book club questions and guides in the back of their books.
Game night – Just because you can’t be physically together, doesn’t mean you can’t play games with your friends. Rally a group together for a night of trivia, bingo or charades. Free game cards and number generators are available online to make game night easy and fun for all.
Happy Hour – Just like being in-person, gather a group for a virtual happy hour. Invite participants to bring a beverage of choice, or make a signature cocktail during the party. Facilitate introductions and watch new connections unfold.
Now it’s your turn, what’s your favorite virtual event that you’ve hosted or attended?
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