If you’ve been keeping up with recent event trends, you’re likely already aware that virtual events are here to stay. According to Allied Market Research, digital events will be a $700 billion industry by 2028. That means that in the next six years, the online event industry will experience a compound annual growth rate of 12.6%- a percentage that’s higher now than it’s ever been before.
These statistics only reinforce the idea that marketing researchers have been pushing for a while- virtual events are the new normal for large gatherings and conventions.
With that being said, there are still a few people who may need convincing when it comes to digital experiences.
Why are so many events virtual now?
Well, the answer is different for just about every company. For one, health and safety are some of the most important things to keep in mind when planning an event. For the entirety of 2020 and a large portion of 2021, in-person events simply weren’t safe for most people. With a global pandemic keeping borders closed and capacity mandates in place, virtual events were the only option for a long time.
However, as more people get the vaccine and the pandemic becomes less of a prominent issue, there are still several reasons why a company may continue to host virtual events.
Online events are also extremely cost-effective for businesses that are trying to achieve a positive return on investment. Without the need to pay for venues and catering, digital events can help save a lot of money compared to their in-person counterparts.
Not only that, but virtual events are accessible and convenient for all of your potential attendees. Without the need for travel and hotel costs, many more people will be able to attend your event.
Because so many companies have recently started shifting their events to an online or hybrid medium, virtual event platforms are more popular than ever before. As the industry grows, more and more software developers and platform providers will continue to crop up- but which ones are the best?
Now that the year is coming to an end, we’ve put together a list that highlights the best of the best. In this list, you’ll find a summarization of 2021’s most impactful virtual event platforms.
Here’s our list of 2021’s best virtual event platforms:
Jumbo (that’s us)
Jumbo’s best features:
- Fully customizable platform
- Personalized domain
- Unique integrations
At Jumbo, we place a huge emphasis on customization. Every event we help create is unique and distinct, meaning they each require different features and integrations. With a team of experienced professionals, Jumbo builds out platforms that meet the specific needs of our clients. We work alongside businesses to ensure that their platform is branded, bespoke, and unforgettable.
Brandlive
Brandlive’s best features:
- Easy-to-use production tools
- Optimized for all devices
- Access to attendee stats and research
Brandlive is one of the most notable platform providers in the industry. With impressive past clients such as the Biden-Harris campaign, Brandlive clearly has a lot of experience in producing high-quality, well-attended events. At Brandlive, you’ll work with a team of event planners who will help iron out design choices and integrations.
Maestro
Maestro’s best features:
- Optimized user interface
- Encourages attendee participation with interactive overlays
- Maximizes earning potential
Maestro is another virtual event platform creator that specializes in customization. Maestro is striving to set a new standard for virtual events within the industry. They plan on doing so by emphasizing the importance of alayzing statistics and research found through past events. Although Maestro’s pricepoint is considerably higher than some of the others on this list, it’s still a great option for large businesses who have extra room in their budget.
Start a free trial with Maestro.
Hopin
Hopin’s best features:
- Produces professional live streams
- Emphasizes virtual marketing opportunities
- Specializes in smaller, interactive events
Hopin is an all-in-one management platform that strives to create immersive platforms for their clients. Rather than building out a brand new platform for every client, Hopin allows businesses to rent space on their already existing virtual event platform. This means there are fewer options for complete customization; however, it’s much easier to get started quickly and see fast results.
Afterparty
Afterparty’s best features:
- Creates unique events
- Flexible platform
- Experince with large brands
Afterparty is a unique virtual event platform that focuses on audience engagement. Having worked with trendy brands like TikTok, Afterparty is extremely popular among those who want to reach big audiences and gather data from attendees. Afterparty’s team works alongside clients throughout the entire process, so it’s a great option for businesses who want help planning their event.
Zoom Events
Zoom Event’s best features:
- Create your own platform
- Track event data easily
- Multiple pricing options
Zoom Events is an extension of the regular Zoom platform we all know and love. One thing that sets Zoom Events apart from the rest on this list is that you will one creating your platform. Although Zoom will provide templates and the overall software, all design and integrations will be up to you. This is a huge benefit for companies who want to be heavily involved in the creation process. However, this means there is little to no access to designers and developers to help sort out issues and give feedback on design choices.
Get more information about ZoomEvents.
Conclusion
When it comes to hosting a virtual event, you really can’t go wrong with any of these platforms. If you want our advice, book some demos with a few different companies before making your final choice. That way, you can decide what features are important for your upcoming event and which platform suits your event best.
Get started creating your virtual event platform today, and book a demo with Jumbo.