Networking is a significant part of any event that helps in boosting engagement levels and amplifying business revenues. Whether you are planning to host virtual events, hybrid events, or want to go with the old traditional event format, networking plays its role, thus contributing to the success of the event.
As virtual has become a new normal, organisations and associations around the world are leveraging the same. The percentage of virtual events has skyrocketed if we look at the stats of the past many years. Attending a virtual event is not as stimulating as live physical events as attendees are not surrounded by other attendees. With virtual events, attendees access the event remotely at their own convenience via any device. Networking becomes even more important with an event in a remote setting. It helps in boosting engagements and generating qualified leads.
A comprehensive virtual event platform offers brilliant options for networking during virtual hybrid events that deliver real-life interaction experiences. It enables attendees to connect, network, and have free-flowing interactions with other attendees, speakers, hosts, exhibitors, sponsors, etc. in real-time.
Types Of Virtual Networking:
A comprehensive virtual event platform enables 2 types of virtual networking:
- ONE on ONE NETWORKING
The platform facilitates attendees to have one-on-one conversations with other attendees, speakers, hosts, exhibitors, and so on in chat rooms same as in-person events thus keeping privacy and personalisation intact.
- GROUP NETWORKING
Virtual event platform enables participants to be a part of ongoing group discussions during keynote sessions, breakout sessions, etc. same as traditional event format. Attendees can voice out their opinions in an open discussion form during group networking.
Formats of Virtual Networking:
1. Virtual Networking Tables
Virtual networking is an essential part of virtual events that contributes to the overall success of an event. It helps in amplifying engagement levels, boosting relationships, and generates qualified business leads. Virtual networking tables enable participants to connect and network with other participants in a dedicated space. Same as live physical interactions attendees can spot their seats and sit in front of each other virtually to have a discussion on specific topics.
The networking lounge can be customised and branded as per the needs and requirements of the business. Attendees can have free-flowing conversations and discussions with other participants in real-time right before, after, and during the event and move freely between virtual networking tables. It helps in delivering real-life event experiences to attendees while replicating the look and feel of the in-person event.
Virtual networking tables allow participants to have one-on-one meetings or discussions by sitting in front of each other the same as traditional networking. Whereas, group discussions or meetings with up to 8 members can be organised with virtual networking tables. One can upscale the virtual event experiences by introducing virtual networking tables in the plan.
2. AI Matchmaking
Browsing through a list of hundreds of people and selecting the most suitable people to have conversations with is a tricky task. AI Matchmaking makes networking easy by identifying the right prospects for having conversations. A comprehensive virtual event platform offers an extensive feature of AI matchmaking that offers suggestions of the prospective people suiting the profile to have 1:1 or group discussions. It helps in amplifying engagements and boosting business revenues while enabling participants to collaborate seamlessly.
3. Live Chat Functionality
Face-to-face interactions have their own worth but one can closely replicate the experience by introducing live chats during virtual events. Three types of live chat functionality offered by the platform are:
- Audio chats
- Video chats/ video calls
- Keyboard/text chats
Integrated live chat functionality offered by the platform enables attendees to have free-flowing interactions during virtual events. Attendees can have 1:1 or group interactions and achieve similar results the same as traditional events.
Live chat functionality offered by the platform enables attendees to connect and collaborate with
organisers, exhibitors, sponsors, tech support, and other attendees in real-time irrespective of their remote geographical locations.
4. Business Card Exchange
Business cards are exchanged at the start or end of the meeting. The way we network has evolved rapidly. Paper counterparts are being replaced by virtual business cards.
The Digital Business card exchange feature offered by the platform enables participants to share contact information seamlessly. Same as traditional business cards one can customise virtual business cards as per their business requirements and exchange them over the web.
5. Whatsapp Chat Integration
Having a private chat on WhatsApp is the most common practice followed by people today. Whatsapp chat integration offered by the platform enables attendees to have direct conversations in a private chat via WhatsApp with virtual booth representatives.
Integrated WhatsApp chat enables attendees to connect and network at the exhibitor’s booth in real-time. The WhatsApp icon is displayed at each exhibitor booth, once clicked it enables attendees to exchange conversations via WhatsApp chat thus resulting in better communication and amplified leads. Replicating the essence of live physical networking is just a click away with virtual events. Utilising the right networking features is the key to boost virtual networking and achieve optimal results seamlessly.
