10 of the Best Virtual Event Ideas for Online Conferences
Hello, I’m Katie. A live illustration specialist and graphic recorder based in the UK. I work globally for lots of different clients and I have accidentally become an online event expert, thanks to the past few months of working exclusively online. I’m excited to share my new knowledge with you!
I spent over 135 hours on online events and virtual conferences.
Here’s what I learned…
The Value of Virtual Events, Online Conferences and Working From Home
Not all online events are created equal.
In this post, I’ll share with you the best things I’ve seen, the most exciting options, and the most creative solutions bringing people together online.
Working online has levelled the playing field. Geographical boundaries have been removed and a whole new way of collaborating and working has come to the fore. As a live illustrator, it’s created a new arena of work. I’ve been graphic recording for companies from India, the US, Spain, the UK, and Canada.
Live Graphic Recording / Live Illustration Examples for Virtual Conferences:
Ok, without further ado… let’s dig into the best virtual event ideas for your online conferences!
Custom Virtual Environments for Online Events
The fully customisable virtual events that are available now are mind-blowing. While live illustrating for Sanofi India’s online event ‘Play to Win’, I was treated to my own virtual illustration booth. Virtual conference attendees could visit and see the illustrations and graphic recording I’d done at previous online meetings. Blogosphere did a similarly impressive virtual environment for their virtual festival. They invited influencers and thought leaders such as Sara Tasker, Steph Yeboah, and Claire Luxton. Customising your avatar and ‘walking’ through the event space brings a whole new excitement to online events and remote working.
Credits: Virtual Event Environments by VirBELA - virbela.com
With the option to include pre and post-event analytics, event and domain security, live and pre-recorded streaming options, creating a virtual environment for your online conference is a no-brainer if you have the budget.
Virtual events by Blackboard Communications for Sanofi India and their ‘Play to Win’ online conference
Credits: Blackboard Communications’ and DJ Virtual Events Jalebi’s incredible virtual event space for Sanofi India’s online event ‘Play to Win’ online conference
Blackboardcommunications.in djvirtualevents.comInstagram: @blackboardcommunications
Virtual Event Photo Booth
Another fun one! Including a virtual photo booth at your event will boost engagement and encourage sharing on social media - free organic marketing? Yes, please. During my live event graphic recording work for USLaw Women’s Connection, I discovered the pure joy that is an online photo booth. It does exactly what it says on the tin. With no app to download, this web-based platform provides your attendees with a fun way to capture their virtual event experience, and share online afterwards. Experiential photo marketing at its finest.
Credits: Virtual photo booth examples from The Photo Booth Guys / Brandmatic
photobooth.co/virtual-photo-booth Instagram: @thephotoboothguys
Virtual Conference Swag Bags
This guide would not be complete if I did not mention swag bags! Goody bags, treats, whatever you want to call them.
A swag bag or an event goodie bag is a bag filled with free promo items or samples given to event attendees, usually by sponsors or event organisers before, during, or after an event.
The purpose of a promotional goodie bag is not just to get maximum attendee eyeballs on your brand, but also to make a lasting impression on the audience.
At the best online events, I have seen swag bags containing:
Reaction paddles
Cocktail ingredients & shakers
Snacks (nuts, crisps, drinks)
Fancy notepads to take notes during online seminars
Equally fancy pens
Stress relievers
Reusables like insulated mugs, bamboo products, metal straws
The more creative your swag bag, the better. Good presentation goes a long way! Using eco-friendly packing materials and including a personalised note will win over your attendees before the online event has even begun. If postage is an issue, or you want a more sustainable option - digital swag bags are now A Thing. You can include e-vouchers, PDF guides, and more.
Credits: Swag bag ideas for virtual events by goodybag.org.uk
Live, Real-Time Illustrations During Sessions
Bringing an artist on board to create real-time illustrations — known as digital live scribing, virtual graphic recording, or live illustration — is a fantastic way to engage your audience with magical fresh content. Industry leaders, with some of the most creative, exciting online events have used live illustrators (Adobe, Apple, Facebook, Google). Hiring an illustrator to create artwork while the meeting/online conference is happening, provides a visual interpretation of the speakers and takeaways that are entertaining, informative, and most importantly, widely shareable/postable after the online event!
Credits: Live graphic recording by Katie Chappell
katiechappell.com/liveillustration Email: info@katiechappell.com - Twitter/Instagram: @katiedraws
Breathwork by Breathpod
Working from home, and collaborating online can be stressful. The yearly financial cost of stress in the workplace has been revealed by recent research as £700 million. Having a professional breathwork expert (like Breathpod) deliver a workshop as part of your online conference can boost engagement and have your attendees enjoying the rest of the sessions feeling more relaxed and engaged. It breaks up monotonous plenary sessions, allows people to take a break and reconnect with their breath, and it’s fun!
Credits: Breathpod workshops by founder Stuart Sandeman
breathpod.me Email: info@breathpod.me - Instagram: @breathpod
Chair Yoga by Jenil Dholakia
If your company prioritises wellness while your colleagues are working from home, chair yoga is the perfect addition to your online event. Improve focus, productivity, memory, relaxation, and enjoyment. Including yoga can bring your virtual event to life. Stretch it out in between keynote speakers, and see your attendees’ enjoyment skyrocket.
Credits: Chair Yoga session taught by Jenil Dholakia
Jenildholakiayoga.com Email: jenildholakiayoga@gmail.com
Inspirational Talks by MojoCrowe
Ben Crowe, founder of MojoCrowe combines his expertise of working with high-profile athletes with Nike in the 90s with a focus on purpose, vulnerability, authenticity, and connection. Give your online conference attendees something of true value to take away with them. Workplace by Facebook hired Ben to deliver a talk during one of their sessions on Culture in the Workplace and it had a positive ripple effect throughout the whole series of talks.
The Mojocrowe ethos is ‘Embrace your weird. Own your story. And find your mojo.’
Credits: Ben Crowe of Mojocrowe perspective and performance in uncertain times
Mojocrowe.com Instagram: @mojocrowe
Interactive Polls and Real-Time Feedback
During the best online events that I’ve attended, I’ve noticed one thing they have in common: the opportunity to interact! With online events hosted on GoToWebinar, the polls function is brilliant when used well. Get feedback instantly. Add funny polls to lighten the mood and bring the engagement back to your online event. Other polls/feedback providers include Mentimeter and Slido. Being able to capture and display attendees’ input in real-time is so powerful. It keeps everybody excited and engaged. If you haven’t already - do consider adding an element of interactive presentation software to your online conference. One of the most important things is to listen and feel heard during an online meeting - something that these providers do really well.
Credits: Mentimeter offers a way to engage all online event participants in a way that is fun, easy, and inclusive.
Mentimeter.com - sli.do - gotomeeting.com
Phew. We’ve covered a lot! To make sure I got every last drop of online event goodness into this post, I asked on Instagram for people’s best online event experiences.
Here they are in no particular order.
Extra Creative (and possibly crazy) Ideas for Online Events
Goats for hire on Zoom - https://www.cronkshawfoldfarm.co.uk/goatsonzoom
Getting a jar of jam in the post
Seal singing Kiss from a Rose (omg!) Hiring a celebrity for a guest appearance will definitely leave a lasting impression on your audience. Haha.
Live EFT/Tapping with Brad Yates
Round the world virtual DJ - DJ
Summing Up
Things to avoid:
Unreliable internet connection, ignoring attendees, long boring talks, bad marketing (tell people your event is happening! Send them email reminders! Make it easy for them to log in and sign up.)
things to include:
Interactive, well advertised, generous, easy to access, encourages sharing and collaboration, exciting and creative. If your online event has all of these, you’ll have an excellent time and your attendees will love it. YOU CAN DO IT!
Over the next few months I’ll be live illustrating for Workplace by Facebook North America, Prosperity Now online conference, and a series of webinars by USLaw for their ‘around the world’ series.
Let me help you create and plan an amazing virtual conference with live illustration.
