Nifty's Favorite Virtual Event Platforms

There are plenty of major benefits to hosting a virtual event, whether a tradeshow, event, product launch, or hybrid online component of your face to face show.

In times when a global pandemic isn’t keeping us all grounded, a virtual event can lower the production cost your organization has to pay for venue space, on-site staff, food and beverage, and more.

Additionally, it can lower the price of admission, enabling attendees with limited budgets to purchase tickets to your event who might not have been able to attend otherwise.

Finally, it allows people from across the globe to interact with each other without needing to spend the time or money away from the office. Imagine how much easier it is for attendees from New York City, London, Frankfurt, and Hong Kong to collaborate virtually, rather than trying to gather in-person (though we agree, we’d rather have the face to face most of the time if we can make it happen.)

How to make it happen is another can of worms. We #eventprofs are usually pretty savvy and in the know when putting together a face to face event. However, choosing a virtual event platform can be challenging. Just like our venue needs, different event technology platforms offer different options. Here are our five favorite virtual event platforms that we’ve used and loved and think you should check out too.

Bizzabo

A new player to the virtual event space, the same great event technology experience they offer for easy registration, networking, and mobile event apps is present in broadcasting and encouraging live virtual events to thrive. We recently used their platform for two back to back events of nearly 1,000 and more than 80% of our participants raved about the experience.

You can reach the full potential of audience engagement with experiences that are (almost) as impactful as in-person events, wherever your attendees are. Deliver high-quality broadcasts and on-demand videos at scale with an enterprise-grade solution. Create engaging moments for attendees with real-time chat, networking, whiteboarding, Q&A, polls & more. What more could an event planner ask for?

What we love:

You can record the sessions to provide on-demand viewings post-show, control registration numbers with the greatest of ease, send out simple event marketing (and integrate with most of your favorite marketing automation platforms like Hubspot for the more complex) and get cracker-jack analytic reporting to tell you when and how your participants were engaging during the event.

Price:

Investment starts at $10,000 USD and is dependent on event size, number of events, and overall complexity. Due to current circumstances, they’re offering great payment and contract terms so that no event is left behind.

Learn more about Bizzabo’s virtual event platform.

Digitell

Updated April 27, 2020: Digitell is currently not accepting new clients in 2020.

We’ve been big fans of Digitell and have used them for our hybrid and virtual events since 2014. From audio to video, this platform is a go-to for any organization that must deliver on a quality professional development experience.

Their virtual event and live streaming platforms give you the ability to connect with a global audience. User-friendly and scalable, their platform ensures that your attendees get the ‘real event feel’ while helping you reach more people and create community across the world. Plus their customer service team is one of the most responsive and seasoned in the events industry.

What we love:

Virtual attendees are able to listen and engage with one another in an intuitive way, helping them build industry knowledge and develop relationships. Digitell has also specialized in working with associations, so if you’re looking for the best virtual solution to deliver your next annual conference while understanding how your members learn and absorb information, monetizing your content, and building organizational awareness, this platform should definitely be on your short list.

Price:

Investment starts at $7,500 USD and is dependent on event size, number of events, and overall complexity. Due to current circumstances, they’re offering great payment and contract terms so that no event is left behind.

Learn more about Digitell’s virtual event platform.

Hubb

Having an all in one event management solution is likely a pipe dream, but Hubb’s offerings come so close you can almost taste it. From running a great call for proposals to managing networking and all those speakers and staff, their virtual event platform fits right into helping an event planner pivot to digital.

You can give your attendees what they crave with a virtual event solution that can darn near do it all. Distribute content? Sure. Create meaningful connections with peer to peer networking, small group discussions and more? This platform has you covered.

What we love:

Hubb was founded by CMP Allie Magyar, who still plans and thinks like an event planner. So all the things floating around in your head that you think would be pretty awesome to see in a virtual event platform, she’s leading an event technology software development team down the same path.

Price:

Investment starts at $6,500 USD and is dependent on event size, number of events, and overall complexity. Due to current circumstances, they’re offering great payment and contract terms so that no event is left behind.

Learn more about Hubb's virtual event platform.

Community Brands

Community Brands remains an association touchpoint with enough event technology under its roof to help you find the event technology that you need when you need it.

Flexible, rich and engaging online events for association members, exhibitors, and sponsors. Members and attendees can join live-streaming keynote and breakout sessions, live-chat with exhibiting sponsors and vendors in their online booths, network with thought leaders and peers, and exhibitors can track leads generated at the event.

What we love:

Community Brands acquired Pathable, which we've used in the past for hybrid events and we've been hearing solid things about their latest release. CB also has Freestone, which is art LMS part amazing for delivering and tracking CEU credits. And when you add it when the virtual tradeshow/sponsorship event platforms and all the other comprehensive event planning goodies found in Core Apps and Attendee Interactive, just like Hubb it’s about as close as you’re going to get for an all in one solution.

Price:

Investment starts at $7,500 USD and is dependent on event size, number of events, and overall complexity. Due to current circumstances, they’re offering great payment and contract terms so that no event is left behind.

Learn more about Community Brand Virtual Event Offerings.

Bringing it all together

If you're stuck how to source and select a virtual event platform or simply need a bit of help pivoting from face to face to digital, our team is standing by to help. From  technical or executive producers to the whole enchilada, we've got an option that will help ease your mind and make events a bit easier to manage.