Virtual event platforms incorporate a variety of tools to plan, promote, and execute online events. These products are designed to help businesses deliver the same feel and value of in-person events through digital experiences. As a result, the best virtual event platforms are flexible software solutions that can be used to manage and host different types of online events, such as association meetings, multi-session conferences, trade shows, and job fairs.
Virtual event platforms share many of the same features of event management platforms. While the latter focuses on managing in-person events, virtual event platforms facilitate digital experiences via built-in webcasting capabilities, integrations with webinar software, or both. Virtual event platforms also help recreate in-person event experiences by incorporating interactive content, such as Q and A, live polls, group chat, and 1:1 networking. Many solutions help enhance virtual experiences with mobile event apps so attendees can access event content from any device.
To qualify for inclusion in the Virtual Event Platforms category, a product must:
- Allow event organizers to host live or on-demand video content through built-in webcasting capabilities or integrations
- Provide features for attendee engagement through Q and A, polls, and 1:1 networking
- Include event registration and payment processing, or integrate with event registration tools
- Support each stage of the event lifecycle, from registration and marketing to post-event feedback and analytics
- Scale according to the quantity, size, type, and complexity of online events
