How Are Webinars Different From Virtual Events?

The year 2020 has completely changed the way the event industry used to operate. The pandemic has played the most significant role in this regard. When the socialites started feeling trapped in their homes, virtual events emerged as their savior in developed countries like the United Arab Emirates. However, webinars have been equally popular since then, which causes confusion to most people.

What Are Webinars?

Webinars are the short form of web-based seminars. These are the events in which the hosts share information with attendees in the presentation style. Communication, as well as the time of webinars, is limited.

What Are Virtual Events?

Virtual events are those events that have all the characteristics of physical events, except a physical venue and setup. They offer entertainment, information, live interaction and networking. In addition to it, the time is not limited but cannot be extended to multiple sessions.

This article will help you explore how webinars are different from virtual events, so keep scrolling down to know in detail.

Top 6 Ways Webinars Are Different From Virtual Events

There have been a whole lot of virtual events in the past few years that the attendees have forgotten the difference between virtual events and webinars. The purpose of these two categories of online events is completely different. Exploring their difference is critical to select the right category and make the most of your event.

Here are the top ways webinars are different from virtual events.

1. Absence of Real-Time Networking

One of the greatest differences between webinars and virtual events is that real-time networking is absent in the webinars. Webinars are often organized to launch a new product and make the audience aware of its availability in the market, which does not require much of networking. Most companies acquire the help of an experiential event agency in Dubai to organize a perfect webinar that promotes their new launches.

2. Cannot Run Across Several Days

One of the most important points that differentiate webinars from virtual events is that they cannot run across several days. The webinar is the presentation session, which has a limited time frame of two to three hours. On the other hand, virtual events can go on for days and can have different time frames.

3. Does Not Integrate Social Media

The strength of virtual events lies in integrating social media. The organizers often livestream their virtual event on different social media channels to attract more audience and attendees. On the other hand, the webinars do not integrate social media in their sessions. The session usually consists of a presentation by the host and guest speakers, followed by a question and answer session with the attendees.

4. Does Not Have Access to User Data

The virtual events have access to the user data, as they collect it from their online attendees to manage their registrations and ensure proper setup for the event. They can utilize this data to check the event attendance and reviews of attendees. On the other hand, webinars do not have access to user data, and they cannot check attendance or other event statistics.

5. Absence of Management Tools

One of the most important differences between webinars and virtual events is that the former does not include management tools. In the case of virtual events, there are virtual reception rooms to manage the attendees. On the other hand, any such setting is absent in the webinars. The attendees have to join the webinar before it starts, and they can only leave it when it ends, unlike the virtual events, which offer flexible attendance.

6. Event Space Cannot Be Used for Multiple Settings

Lastly, the point which makes webinars different from virtual events is that the event space cannot be used for multiple settings. The virtual event usually has chat rooms, entertainment and networking room, in addition to the main session room, while the webinars only have a main session room. You can hire an experiential event agency in Dubai to better organize and manage your webinars and provide the right information to your attendees.

Virtual Event Ideas trend (Infographic)

Common features of webinars and virtual events!

Besides the above-shared differences, webinars and virtual events have the following similarities.

• Sustainable
• Global reach
• On-demand content
• Cost-efficient

The virtual events and webinars are arranged, keeping in view the needs, demands and desires of the target audience. However, the format of the two types of events is different and is meant to serve the target audience. If you are still confused about the difference, do not experiment with your event only to earn humiliation. Get in touch with the professionals to share the purpose of your event, your expectations and your requirements to arrange talk of the town and impressive events. Head towards a progressive path by joining hands with experts.