Virtual Reality and Augmented reality might be the next step in the evolution of the digital age. Virtual events are gaining tremendous popularity these days. Attending a virtual event is easy as long as you have an invitation to the same – all one needs is a device with cameras, speakers, a mike, and a good and stable internet connection.
Though one may not be able to meet others in person and there may be some fatigue arising out of overuse of digital devices; virtual events have gained a great deal of popularity these days. There are several reasons why they have grown to be so popular. Some of these reasons include the following:
1. Increased use of digital devices
The first and one of the most important reasons behind the popularity of digital devices is their widespread use of digital devices. These days, nearly everyone has a digital device in the form of a smartphone, and often people also process a computer, laptop, MacBook, or Chromebook whereas only three decades ago, very few people had any understanding of these machines.
2. Increased understanding of internet-based solutions
Another important reason relating to the increasing popularity of virtual meetings is that these days most people have a better understanding of internet-based solutions. That has been made possible with computer sciences becoming a crucial part of the school curriculum.
3. Easy to attend
Perhaps the most obvious reason behind the increasing popularity of virtual events is that they are just easy to attend. More and more people are realizing that it is just better and more convenient in most circumstances to attend an event online rather than being there in person.
4. Lesser commute
One of the biggest reasons behind the popularity of virtual events is that they involve no commute. That is a valuable advantage for several reasons – the rising costs of fuels are making commute increasingly expensive, the commute is resulting in a higher carbon footprint and affecting the environment, the limited non-renewable resources are being replenished, and it also consumes a lot of time – especially if there is a traffic jam as is often the case with metropolitan cities. A virtual meeting offers a respite from all that.
5. Lesser costs
As mentioned above, there are no commute costs in case of virtual events. Virtual events can also save attendees will also cost of finding temporary accommodation in another city. Additionally, it can also save the event organizers the costs of finding and booking a premise large enough to accommodate all the people who may be expected to attend the event.
6. Time-saving
One of the biggest reasons behind the popularity of virtual events is that it can help one save a great deal of time – the time save from commute for example. In the present day world with so much to do and so little time to do it, one can always appreciate getting that extra hour to oneself. And virtual events help one get that bit of extra time.
7. COVID-19 pandemic
The recent COVID-19 pandemic managed to shut down the world and there is an increasing scientific consensus that there will always be a possibility of the such epidemic as the world opens up soon. Virtual events can be attended even during the pandemic in the safety of one’s place. And even in other conditions, these events can keep the risk of another pandemic being caused low by providing an alternative where people don’t have to meet in large groups anymore.
8. Renders geographic distance is irrelevant
The last but not least important reason behind the popularity of virtual events is that they render the geographic distance irrelevant. And thus one can be living in New Delhi and yet be able to attend an event in Paris with one’s friends from London, Dubai, and New York. Thus virtual events make it possible for like-minded people from across the globe to come together and discuss ideas – that creates a real global village based on intellectual ideas and nourishes development.
Please note that the above list contains only some of the most valuable reasons behind the popularity of virtual events but it is not exhaustive as there may be several other reasons.
The Bottom line
One can easily wrap up the above discussion by concluding that there are several reasons behind the increasing popularity of virtual events. And they are likely to only gain popularity in the coming years. It is thus hardly surprising that there are so many technologies and social media giants who are trying to create powerful solutions for virtual events. However, one must note here that the choice of the software used for organizing virtual events will play a valuable role as the software in question should be able to accommodate all the requirements the event organizer and the participants may have if the event in question is to be successful.
