New Study Reveals Participants’ Views of Virtual Events

Jamestown, NY, November 12, 2016 --(PR.com)-- A new study by Jamestown, NY-based event-media developer Digitell reveals participants’ views of virtual events recreated from face-to-face events.

The study “busts” many popular myths shared among event-industry professionals not directly acquainted with virtual events. According to the study’s findings:

- 83% of virtual-event participants report they had no prior intent to attend the face-to-face event that the virtual event was recreated from;

- 43% of virtual event participants report they had never attended the face-to-face event previously;

- In rank-order, the top 5 reasons reported for not attending the face-to-face event are:

1. Expenses (72%)
2. Schedule conflicts (60%)
3. Prior commitments (39%)
4. Travel concerns (34%)
5. Impacts on home-life (33%)

- 77% report the virtual event motivated them to attend the face-to-face one;

- 68% report they have attended, or will attend, the face-to-face event after participating in the virtual one;

- 25% report they definitely would not have considered attending the face-to-face event before participating in the virtual one; 40% said they probably would not have considered attending;

- 63% received continuing education credit or credits for participating in the virtual event; but 51% report continuing education credit was not the motive for participating;

- 94% report they would likely not participate in a competitor’s virtual event after experiencing their first one.

“Our study of virtual event participants resoundingly dispels some prevalent myths,” says Jim Parker, President of Digitell. “The most alarming one claims virtual events cannibalize face-to-face ones, yet the very opposite is true. Virtual events attract people who never attend your face-to-face event. More importantly, they enable you to identify prime prospects for your face-to-face event, and ‘seduce’ them into attending down the road.”

The study findings are based on a Q2 poll completed by over 100 respondents, all working professionals who have attended a virtual event in the recent past. Respondents were provided by Digitell’s clients.

About Digitell
Jamestown, NY-based Digitell is an event-media developer with more than 30 years’ experience serving associations. Its mission it to help association executives grow their audiences and unlock the revenue hidden in the content generated at live events. More information is available at www.digitellinc.com.