10 Virtual Event Trends to Look Out For in 2022
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 two years of working exclusively online.
I’ve spent over 300 hours at online events and virtual conferences since March 2020.
I’m here to share my findings and some of the trends I see emerging for 2022…
*polishes crystal ball*
1. Online events aren’t going anywhere in 2022
Being able to work online, while clunky at first, has brought huge value to teams across the world. Working from home has been proven to be better for productivity, and workers prefer it!
“70% of the workforce prefers a more flexible way of working in the future.”
- The Guardian ‘Working From Home: the good, the bad, and the ugly’
I’m writing this in late 2021 and in the UK we are dealing with lots of cancelled events due to the Omicron variant of covid.
Online events? They carried on, business as usual!
One of my live illustration clients who had sensibly added a hybrid option to their events were able to seamlessly transition to 100% online in December when the government issued new guidelines about meeting in person.
Employees understand and appreciate not being forced into a room together when there’s a shiny new variant out there.
Heading into the New Year, I’ve seen a surge in online event bookings (again). And my clients who are planning in-person events are very tentative about this and have a hybrid option there in case the pandemic situation doesn’t improve.
Very wise, in my humble online event illustrator opinion.
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 top trends of 2022 for your online conferences!
2. Even if in-person events do come back, hybrid will still be a non-negotiable
Um, Katie, what do you mean by hybrid?
I wrote this post explaining a bit more about hybrid events and why they’re important. Basically, a hybrid event is an in-person event that people can join virtually too. This can be as basic as making sure there’s a laptop with Zoom running in the meeting room. And it can be SUPER FANCY and high-tech too, budget permitting.
Going into 2022 without a hybrid plan is silly. And you’re not silly, are you? Good. Didn’t think so.
Credits: live illustration by katie chappell - katiechappell.com
3. In 2022 feeling heard, feeling seen, and feeling special will be more important than ever
Event attendees NEED to know that their voice matters! Find whatever ways you can do this (of course I’m going to suggest graphic recording for this, but there are other options too!)
Dedicated note-takers.
Carving out more time for Q&A during your event.
Making sure there’s someone in the chatbox answering everyone’s questions.
Offering attendees the chance to give feedback.
Live Illustration
Social Listening Activations (AKA living murals, or experiential drawing)
This form of live illustration poses a question to an audience, and the visually scribed answers serve as a form of public survey. Social listening activations are a feedback-gathering tool that participants LOVE interacting with. And everyone definitely feels heard and seen!
Credits: live scribing for the nspcc’s young people’s board for change @katiedraws
4. Short, snappy online events are where it’s at for 2022
Zoom fatigue, burnout, please-baby-Jesu-not-another-4-hour-meeting, whatever you want to call it, people are NOT willing to spend their entire day glued to their online event screen.
Even if you planned the most brilliant, exciting and engaging online event, shorter is better. Give ‘em a break!
5. What happens before and after the event will matter more than ever
Sending a hamper, a gift, or a takeout delivery voucher before the event will make you stand out.
ALSO - aftercare!
Share about your event - let people know what happened even if they didn’t get a chance to attend.
Send an interesting report that your attendees will want to look at (…a cool timelapse video of the graphic recording, perhaps?)
Speak the love language of giiiiifts.
Here’s a bit more goody bag inspiration if you’re going to send your attendees something to get them excited about your event.
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
6. Results matter. 2022 is the year of Laser-focused hybrid events
Know what you’re trying to achieve before you begin!
What are you trying to achieve? What will be the outcome? Time is precious - communicate this stuff before the event and you’ll up your attendance rates and have more engagement.
If you can explain your event’s usefulness before it begins, yer winning. Can’t think of why your event is useful? Not sure what you’re trying to achieve?
Maybe this whole event thing could just be an email. JUST SAYIN’.
7. Brace yourself for even more cool techie stuff to make online conferences more engaging
Since 2020 we’ve been blown away with incredible online event add-ons.
We’ve had Mentimeter, Padlet, QR codes, incredible virtual environments to walk around in… my guess is that 2022 has some crackin’ new digital toys up its sleeve. Companies will be keener than ever to invest in online and hybrid events.
Watch this space!
In 2022, look for greater investment in hybrid events software that can:
Create a seamless attendee experience
Provide a distinctive virtual experience to foster engagement
Drive audience interaction
Create a persistent community, including pre- and post-event
Provide rich data sets
Enhance experiences with scheduling, matchmaking, and gamification.
- Source: https://info.6connex.com/blog/event-trends-for-2022-virtual-hybrid-and-in-person
8. amplifying marginalised voices
We’ve already seen an incredible surge in equality, diversity and inclusion, but 2022 events will be about even more EDI. It’s time for more racial inclusion, giving young people a seat at decision-making tables, and including LGBTQ+ communities, women, and anybody else who’s previously been shoved out of the way for middle-aged white men.
We’re here for it. More of this, please. Ta.
EDI (equality, diversity & inclusion) events are one of my favourite kinds of events to live illustrate at.
Get in touch if you’d like to explore how live illustration could work for your online EDI event!
9. 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 easily!
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
10. We’re going to make even better use of that chatbox
In his talk for Salesforce (that I was live illustrating at 😎), Adam Grant shared some brilliant hashtags that he uses when teaching his university students. Hashtags are a speedy form of communication that is introvert-friendly and recreates some of the collaboration and interactivity of an in-person event.
Here are the hashtags Adam recommends for effective chat box communication
#onfire
#QUESTION
#debate
#aha
Summing Up
Things to avoid:
Ignoring attendees, long boring talks, only booking straight, middle-aged white men to talk at your event, having an in-person event with NO online element at all.
things to include:
Virtual, interactive, well-advertised, generous, easy to access events that encourage sharing and collaboration. Focusing on creating an event that is exciting and creative, and SHORTER THAN TWO HOURS. 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 Pfizer, The V&A Museum’s series of online events for young people, some awards ceremonies and online training meetings. There’s still some space to get your online event booked in and get some illustrations created!
Lots of my clients go on to use and share their live illustrations in post-event emails, on their blogs, across social media channels and even on their website.
Let me help you create and plan an amazing virtual conference with live illustration.
