In April 2020, an estimated 50.6% of US workers worked from home during the first wave of the pandemic. 2024 has seen the rise of digital meetings as a feature of the evolving business environment, post-COVID.

Virtual conferencing is an integral part of the modern business environment. Not only do virtual conferencing platforms provide a safe way for large groups to come together, but they are also becoming more convenient and accessible than in-person meetings.

With so many different virtual conference platforms out there, choosing the right platform for your next event can be overwhelming. In this article, we review the best virtual conference platforms and discuss their features, fees, and pricing plans.

What is a virtual conference platform?

A virtual conference platform is an event management system (EMS) designed to accommodate a variety of audiences for virtual and hybrid meetings such as conferences, webinars, workshops, and Q&A sessions.

Virtual meeting platforms help businesses reduce costs, reach larger audiences, and simplify the process of planning and hosting business events. Online meetings provide participants with in-depth analysis and insight into the effectiveness of virtual activities. 

Virtual conferencing platforms are numerous with features designed to handle different types of meetings. Whether you’re hosting a ticketed conference or a more personal meeting, you’re sure to find the perfect virtual conference platform for your needs

How do I create a virtual meeting?

Creating an online meeting involves several important steps:

1. Determine the purpose of the meeting
2. Given the time zone of the invitation, enter the appropriate information and time
3. Choose from live streaming, breakout sessions, chat capabilities, analytics, and reliable online meeting platforms that fit your needs and budget.
4. Carefully plan your agenda by identifying key audiences and topics of interest to your audience
5. Register attendees and promote your event using social media, email marketing, and other channels
6. Keep your meetings running smoothly with reliable internet connectivity, and audiovisual equipment, as making virtual meetings interactive is important for better audience engagement.
7. Discuss with the participants and analyze the collected data to measure the success of the meeting and the effect for future improvements.

You may have missed: Best virtual conference Technologies in 2024

What are the key features of the best virtual conference platform?

Depending on the type and size of your meeting, planning can be complicated. Virtual event planners have many things to consider. Therefore, having the right features of an online meeting platform can be very beneficial. This is essential for a successful conference. You better put these features at the top of your wish list.

1. 1. Managing virtual conferences: The sheer size of virtual conferences adds complexity. Therefore, virtual event planners, attendee lists, etc. need features that support the event experience such as ease of management
   2. Personal Agenda: Event attendees influence their experience. Combining public sessions and breakouts allows you to create your own schedule. Sometimes you can share a session before the event.
   3. Breakout Sessions and Interactive Discussions: Two-way video conferencing is essential for conducting breakout sessions. This allows participants to collaborate and exchange ideas. Whiteboard and annotation features enable interaction.
   4. Entertain a global audience with closed captioning during virtual events.
   5. Networking and social tools: One of the main reasons people attend conferences is to network with professionals. So make sure you plan virtual events that support such connections. 
   6. Virtual Booth: Sponsor a virtual event or host a virtual job fair. So, a virtual booth might be at the top of your list. Some virtual event platforms offer 3D booth functionality. Some companies offer virtual rooms dedicated to sponsored content, which allow participants to chat one-on-one with it.

Best Virtual Event Platform 2024

Let’s take a look at the best virtual and hybrid event platforms today and some of the key features they offer.

• Hopin

Hopin is an event management platform that provides a virtual, hybrid and personalized event experience.

Features

• Virtual, hybrid, in-person, and indoor events
• Event Logging Tool
• Communicate with participants
•  Virtual lobby
• Analytics reporting and more

Hopin offers a free version for those just starting to plan their virtual event and an advanced plan for those looking for a full-service package.

You can also book a demo to learn more about the price of Hopin advanced plan.

• Vfairs Virtual event platform

Features

• Virtual, hybrid, and in-house events
• Animated virtual lobby and showroom
• Event Sponsor
• Network and chat tools
• Analytical reports

With vfairs as your virtual event platform, you can welcome event attendees with an animated virtual lobby full of interactive exhibits to increase engagement.

• Bigmarker

Features

• Experience creative and on-demand video
• Breakout Sessions, Exhibit Halls, and Participant Communication Tools
• Attendee registration management for virtual and hybrid events
• The ability to customize and create a branded experience
• Analytical reports

The Bigmarker Button Broadcast Studio can help you create and stream high-quality webcasts and live events with chat, Q&A, and sharing features. You can develop an interactive presentation experience that engages attendees like a private event

• HeySummit

Features

• Unlimited active events and unlimited team members
• Brand identity
• Chat management and speaker panel
• Analytical report
• It works with video and webinar platforms like Zoom, YouTube, Bigmarker, Google Meet, Wistia, Vimeo

Heysummit pricing starts at $33 per month or $300 per year. HeySummit makes it easy to organize and coordinate virtual events.

• Accelevent

Features

• Participant system tools
• Virtual lobby and lounges
• Webcast integration
• Event Exhibitions and Sponsorships
• Analytical reports

Accelevent starts at $125 per month or $500 per event.

Accelevent allows you to host everything from conferences, trade shows, and product launches to career fairs, workshops, and training sessions. It also offers comprehensive event management to manage all events and create an unforgettable experience for your attendees. The platform is intuitive so you can tailor your event to your audience, organize exciting events that attendees can participate in on-site or online, and even sponsor an exhibit hall.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, virtual conference platforms have become an essential part of the modern business environment, especially in the post-COVID era. These platforms offer a safe and convenient way for large groups to come together, while also being more accessible than in-person meetings. With numerous options available, it’s important to carefully consider the features, fees, and pricing plans when choosing a platform for an event. Key features to prioritize include managing virtual conferences, personal agendas, breakout sessions, interactive discussions, closed captioning, networking and social tools, and virtual booths. Some of the best virtual event platforms in 2024 include Hopin, Vfairs, Bigmarker, HeySummit, and Accelevent, each offering a range of features to cater to different event needs and budgets. These platforms enable businesses to host successful virtual and hybrid events, providing engaging experiences for attendees and valuable insights for event organizers.