88% Of Companies Are Returning To In-Person Events: Here’s Why

It’s time for the great rebound of in-person events. In 2021 and 2022, there was a lot of talk about the power of hybrid and virtual events and how they were the future of business. But what people quickly realized – now that we can actually attend mass in-person events – is that nothing compares to the power of in-person events and the value of meeting people face-to-face. That’s not to be confused with the ability virtual and hybrid events conjure to bring people from around the world together – it has enlightened businesses to the potential of international connections that were once hard to establish.

Still, in-person events are on the horizon, with 88% of businesses confirming they’re planning an event. Whether it be an internal event bringing remote workers back into the office or a trade event to establish new connections. Let’s explore why so many companies are returning to in-person events, the benefits, and why it’s still essential to consider the power of hybrid and virtual events.

Why 88% Of Businesses Say They’re Returning To In-Person Events

The statistic looks at companies who are eager to bring their employees back together after over half of all companies around the world sent their employees to work from home, with many still working from home or partaking in phased returns. What do employees think? 4 out of 5 involved in a study agreed they’re excited to get back into the office – but have now been working from home for over two years, and many people have come and gone in that timeframe. Knowing someone virtually and interacting with them in person are two very different scenarios. So, naturally, companies want to host in-person events to boost morale and build a team that can work together in the office. 

In terms of marketing and trade events – there’s a buzzword going around, webinar fatigue. Virtual events and webinars were essential during times when in-person events weren’t possible. Now they are; webinars look less like a lucrative option and more like a second option – only 51% of event managers feel satisfied with webinars in 2023.

What To Consider When Hosting Your Own

Hosting your own in-person event is daunting, especially as we became so accustomed to the ease of virtual events. Set up a meeting on Zoom, send out invites, ensure guest speakers log in at the right time, and you’re away. With in-person events, everything from location to staffing has to be considered, and there are far more elements to control. In comes an event staffing agency – having a team of trained professionals to manage the areas you may not feel confident doing can completely transform an in-person event. 

Typically, there are some vital considerations to keep at the forefront of your mind when managing or attempting to host an in-person event:

• Location
• Who needs to attend – consider everyone from staffing to consumers.
• Budget allocation
• Timeline of the day
• What you want to achieve from the day
• Accounting for issues during the day

There are more in-depth articles about planning and running your own event online – follow this link for just one example of cultivating a successful in-person event, whether for employees, consumers, or to network your business.

Don’t Forget About Virtual And Hybrid Events

Yes, there is almost a death by webinars on the horizon, but don’t forget the power of virtual and hybrid events for securing new connections with people who might not be able to attend in-person events. For example, you might have an international team of employees that can’t attend an in-person event but also shouldn’t be left out of the equation – a hybrid event is a perfect solution.

Alternatively, you may want to expand your international client base but don’t have the means to travel far, and your prospective clients can’t travel to you, virtual events are the saviour. They’re much more formal and personal than sending an email or having a phone conference. People interpret your intentions easily and feel better connected if they can see your face and body language. 

In-person events are a surefire way of attracting attention and building relationships that aren’t possible with virtual events. Yes, they’re more of a financial burden and accumulate more stress, but the ROI is proven to be better, and the connections are proven stronger. Do you think you could host your own in-person event?