Virtual events have seen somewhat of a resurgence in the last year or so, following their enforced arrival on the scene during the COVID-19 pandemic. This time driven by cost-restraints, sustainability goals or other corporate drivers, their growth in popularity means that creating a dynamic experience for attendees has become more important than ever. 

Bizaboo research tells us 53.2% of respondents plan to attend more webinars in 2025, up from 29% in 2024.¹ And a recent report from IQVIA shared that broadcasts are not only a staple in Marketing and Sales strategies but are also integrated into annual brand planning.²

The sign of a successful virtual event is one where attendees are engaged throughout, with your key messages delivered in a way that resonates with your audience including interactive features that will keep your audience invested throughout the experience. Below are our seven must-have features to transform your virtual event from a passive webinar into a dynamic and memorable live experience.

1. Choose your own adventure

When it comes to online, the world is your oyster. Unconstrained by the boundaries of a traditional venue, load-in times, one-size-fits-all plenaries and breakouts, the virtual experience can be tailored to as many dimensions as you need. Personalised content is no longer a buzzword, as attendees can choose their own agenda tracks and times. Session formats can be a mix of live, pre-recorded, interactive and reimagined. In fact, a recent summit yielded an 85% satisfaction rate, after delegates could attend sessions adjusted to their own schedule and time zone. 

The benefit: Best practices can be reimagined, bespoke platform graphics allow brand new portals to content for every event and new journeys to explore, and professional studio setups for broadcasting key sessions enhance the experience. 

2. On-demand access and content replay

Virtual events provide the unique advantage of accessibility. Attendees don’t have to worry about time zone differences or schedule conflicts. Offering on-demand access to recorded sessions or content highlights is an essential feature for making your event more accessible and flexible. Not only does this extend the value of your event, it also allows attendees to revisit key moments they may have missed or want to explore in more detail.

The benefit: Attendees are more likely to engage with content at their convenience, leading to better retention and longer-term value. This feature also gives them the freedom to engage with the content on their own terms.

3. High-quality technical streaming and content delivery

It doesn’t matter how great your speakers or content are if your technical setup isn’t up to standard. High-quality streaming ensures that attendees have a smooth, seamless experience. Whether it's a keynote speech, a panel discussion, or a live demo, ensuring that audio and video are clear is essential for maintaining the audience’s attention. Furthermore, optimising your content to best-suit platform functionality will make your event feel more professional and polished. For example, multi-camera setups, green screen studio technology, PowerPoint slide design and video graphics will all enhance speaker sessions.

The benefit: Technical glitches can be frustrating and lead to a loss of engagement. And hours of presenter+slide viewing can become tedious. A seamless and interesting viewing experience helps attendees stay focused on the event rather than dealing with buffering issues or poor video quality.

4. Interactive chat and Q&A

Engagement is key in a virtual setting, and one of the simplest ways to keep your audience involved is through real-time interactions. An effective chat feature allows attendees to ask questions, share insights, and engage with both speakers and fellow participants. Combined with a live Q&A session, this interactive element fosters a sense of community and connection, even when participants are miles apart. To make it even more impactful, consider integrating live polling or feedback options to get instant reactions and insights from your audience.

The benefit: Attendees feel more involved and valued when they can ask questions and share their thoughts during the event. It also boosts the quality of conversations and can offer real-time feedback.

5. Networking opportunities

A key appeal of in-person events is the ability to network and form valuable connections. Virtual events can replicate this by incorporating networking features like chat rooms, breakout sessions and virtual exhibition or ‘coffee areas'. You can create spaces where attendees can connect and share best practice, facilitating spontaneous conversations that might not happen in a traditional format. Dedicated agenda time for virtual lounges or speed networking sessions can simulate the informal networking that occurs at physical events. At a recent event where we brought together 36 countries, 52 speakers and 600 attendees, 72% of attendees said they made new connections within the virtual audience. 

The benefit: Building relationships is crucial for attendee satisfaction and cross-functional learning, especially in a virtual environment. Providing a chance to network can help participants feel like they're really part of the community, leading to higher engagement rates both during and post-event.

6. Gamification and incentives

Gamification is a key feature for any virtual event, adding an element of fun and motivation. Integrating features like leaderboards, quizzes, and interactive games can make the experience more entertaining while incentivising engagement. Consider rewarding participants with virtual badges, points, or prizes for attending sessions, asking questions, or networking with others. This not only boosts participation but can also turn your virtual event into an exciting and memorable experience.

The benefit: People LOVE rewards and competition. Gamification taps into these natural tendencies, encouraging greater involvement and creating a sense of excitement and accomplishment.

7. Cut-through communications

A well-planned series of communications before, during, and after the event are critical to keep your attendees informed. Consider:

• Automated invites that block calendar time to remove the risk of double-booking
• Pre-event teasers to headline upcoming content and speakers
• One-hour-to-go email blast to add a sense of anticipation
• Interactive posts during the event to maintain focus and encourage participation
• Post-event follow ups with calls-to-action, take home messages, and links to on-demand content. 

The benefit: Enhancing the experience and reaching audiences through multiple channels. But watch out! Keep communications meaningful, relevant, targeted and with a purpose, as bombarding your delegates unnecessarily will detract from an overall positive experience.

In conclusion, creating an engaging virtual event requires more than just strong content. it’s about creating an immersive experience that encourages interaction, connection, and excitement. By incorporating interactive chat features, networking opportunities, high-quality technical streaming, on-demand access to content, and gamification, you can ensure that your virtual event stands out and delivers lasting value to your audience. With the right features, you can turn a traditional online meeting into a dynamic, engaging event that really lands your key messages for your attendees.

CTL is a world-leader in designing, creating and delivering live, virtual and hybrid events for some of the world’s largest companies.  Contact us at [email protected] to discuss your next event and how we can help drive engagement, whatever the format.

Authored by Chris Marmion 

1. Bizzabo benchmarking Report 2025
2. https://www.iqvia.com/locations/united-states/blogs/2024/08/the-optimization-of-broadcasts-and-virtual-events