Latest Trends in Virtual Online Events and Keynote Speakers.

Here’s a question for you. Be honest (please). Before COVID-19 came along, how excited were you to be glued to your seat, eyes forward, fighting the post-lunch food coma—for a 60-minute keynote?
In our recent experience, COVID-19 has changed our expectations for keynote speaker presentations and corporate events for the better. Gone are the days where a sixty-minute PowerPoint with a voice over (delivered at another virtual conference the day before), was the height of the online experience.

Thankfully, audiences are now getting fewer slides and more interactivity from their hosts and presenters. Expectations have also changed for conference demand, pricing, format, and topics. Here are the latest trends, We see in online virtual conferences.

DEMAND

Since March 2020, online conferences have increased exponentially—and why not, they’re the meetings industry’s only option. While some businesses canceled their in-person events, other, forward-thinking ones worked on moving keynote experiences to interactive virtual platforms. Based on an estimated 1.9 million conferences per year (according to Meetings-Conventions Magazine), it’s likely that nearly 1.5 million conferences will be either canceled or converted to virtual format in 2020 alone.

We don’t expect online conferences to disappear when COVID-19 does. Speakers bureaus expect companies to keep booking keynote speakers and using the online experience format for years to come.

PRICING

Online events are less expensive to organize than in-person events. Instead of placing a deposit for a huge venue, meals, accommodation for hundreds, and paying travel for guests and presenters, the main costs are the keynote presenters and virtual platform.

Virtual keynote speaker are generally less expensive to book, plus there are no travel costs. Speakers bureaus are seeing keynote speakers being more flexible on pricing, since they aren’t spending additional days for travel or overcoming jetlag. While " Celebrity" speakers will still command premium prices, t, the good news is the keynote fee will be the biggest expense of the event now that conference venue, travel and food are not needed.

FORMAT

Online events have upended the keynote format. Webinars have changed from the stereotypical 45-60 minute presentation with PowerPoint slides to the new “Unwebinar” format. Instead of staring at stale slides for an hour, audiences get a short introduction with an emcee and a shorter 20-25 minute lecture/presentation with a colorful deck, followed by a 15-20 minute Q&A, or sometimes with a panel.

The Unwebinar is also more interactive for audiences. Online virtual platforms allow the audience to engage with the presenters through surveys, polls, and chat. Attendees can even chat with each other to discuss the event in progress.

TOPICS

While the format has changed, the Speaking topics are mostly the same. Top Companies are still interested in leadership, teamwork, motivation, happiness, Health and innovation. The difference is presenters now apply their Life Lessons and takeaways to dealing with the effects of COVID-19. Keynote speakers show participants how to apply old principles to the new Working from home ,working life and to dealing with downsized markets and offices.