Study: Behavior at Virtual Events Examined

New research compiled by digital event producer Unisfair and research firm The FactPoint Group suggest that virtual events draw an average of 1,587 attendees and deliver 348 qualified leads to each event sponsor. The study also found that 52 percent of those who register go on to participate in the virtual event.

According to the report, attendees typically spend 2.5 hours at a virtual event, visit 16 locations and download five resources. On average, attendees engage in 13 interactions via chat and e-email.

Although the typical virtual event is 1.5 days, most events are available on-demand for 90 days. International attendees accounted for 42 percent of the total audience, with U.S.-based attendees accounting for 58 percent, according to the study.

When it comes to pricing, many event hosts start off low-balling sponsors because they aren’t sure what to charge. That changes when they see the results, according to Brent Arslaner, vice president of marketing at Unisfair. “The quality of the leads you can generate is very substantial, which in turn makes it where you can ask for more significant packages,” he says. “Sponsors don’t just get the leads, they get a full profile. Compare that to a physical event, where you’re lucky if someone scribbled something on the back of a card. Because of the quantity and quality these virtual events are generating, price packages are going up. With some of these programs, $50,000, $75,000, are realistic numbers.”

Virtual Events Snapshot

Average live duration: 1.5 days

Average archived days: 90

Average registration: 3,102

Average attendance: 1,587

Show Up rate: 52%

Sponsor/Exhibitor Booths: 15

Leads Generated Per Sponsor: 348

Conference Sessions: 5 per day

Average attendee time at event: 2 hours 31 minutes

Average locations visited: 16

Average attendee interactions: 13