CeCe Salomon-Lee posted another gem outlining the 7 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Next Virtual Event (co-authored with Dennis Shiao). As I read through the 7 tips, the big thing that stood out for me is that as an attendee, you have to interact with the exhibitors, speakers and other attendees.

To really apply what you’re learning, you need to brainstorm with other attendees. Often, that’s where some of your best ideas will come from. As CeCe and Dennis state:

Engage in the Group Chats: Besides the content, the best parts of a virtual conference are the group chat and one-on-one chats within the virtual environment. While the presentations can be viewed on archive after the live event ends, the conversations are not replicable. I recommend spending at least 1-2 hours chatting with others in the various group chats.

Yet another advantage to attending virtual events is a chance to speak to exhibitors in a low pressure environment. Most exhibitors who attend virtual events do so to collect information on attendees. Since their priority is to generate leads, you’ll find that most exhibitors at virtual events won’t pressure you to buy something. As CeCe & Dennis point out:

Speak with Exhibitors: Unlike a physical event which would mainly be staffed with sales staff, vendors can staff a virtual conference with more subject-matter experts. Take the opportunity to speak with these experts especially if you’re researching or even in the final stages of selecting a solution.

So, remember that interaction with exhibitors, speakers and other attendees will be key to helping you make the most out of your attendance at a future virtual event.