COVID-19: Creating New Ways to Connect

The COVID-19 pandemic heavily impacted and changed the way that employees across the globe communicate, travel, and attend events. The shift to digital engagement was a drastic one, as email and video conferencing took the communication world by storm. Many frequent business travelers have said they will never return to the road, and hotel room revenue attributed to business travel is still on the decline. 

Digital platforms like Zoom and Microsoft teams have seen insane growth during this time as well. More than 45 billion minutes of webinars were hosted on Zoom in 2020, and Teams saw 894% growth within the first three months of the pandemic. Although these numbers are impressive, online interaction still has been  observed to be the source of fatigue and frustration. As with all types of technology, issues and setbacks are inevitable. These hiccups often lower productivity, cause eye problems, and lead to poor communication and efficiency.

Despite these setbacks, businesses and employees alike still prefer attending events online. In fact, of people who attend ten or more events every year, nearly 50% attended online events and only 13% attended physical events. Virtual events for businesses have become vital. They save time, reduce costs, increase productivity, and improve focus and engagement. In addition, they allow for businesses to create a more exciting event using hybrid tools, games, and the versatility of the metaverse.

Using digital platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or even the metaverse can be a more engaging, creative, and immersive experience for all involved. Although physical events are not going away, businesses are now able to reach new audiences and new heights through hybrid and virtual events.

Source: engagez.com