The year 2020 has been very unpredictable for the events industry. COVID-19 has led to a massive rise in the number of virtual events. The travel restrictions and social distancing rules have pushed the world into an era of virtual events. Events like product launches, award shows, job fairs, trade shows, and AGM’s have started being conducted virtually. The internet has witnessed a sudden surge in demand for virtual event platforms. Companies are increasingly using virtual event platforms to conduct their AGM.
AGM’s gather all the stakeholders to discuss the past performance of the company and its future goals. With the rise in virtual events, various virtual AGM platforms are now available in the market. With so many online AGM platforms, selecting the best one can be tricky. But don’t worry! This article will help you figure out how you can choose the best virtual annual general meeting platform.
How to Choose the Best Virtual AGM Platform?
Below are a few factors you should consider before selecting a virtual town hall meeting platform.
Identify Your AGM Goals
Knowing the goals of your AGM can be a deciding factor in choosing the best virtual AGM platform. First, determine the number of attendees you are expecting and the meeting capacity you need. Make a list of the features that you want in the virtual award show platform. Once you have determined your requirements, you can now hunt for the best online AGM platforms. Look for virtual event platforms that provide customizable solutions as you won’t have to pay for the features you don’t need, resulting in cost savings.
User-friendly Interface
Look for a platform that provides seamless navigation and is user-friendly. The platform should be easy to use so that the attendees are able to attend the AGM with utmost ease and navigate through it.
Engagement Features
If you are looking for a virtual conference platform in UAE, consider the following features –
- Briefcase: Briefcase is a feature that allows the attendees to bookmark the important sessions of the AGM or store other information about the AGM. Virtual briefcase acts as a storehouse for the information related to the AGM.
- Document Presentation: AGM is all about discussing the past performance of the organization and its future goals. This feature allows the speakers to present the documents just like in an in-person event.
- Dynamic Banner: Dynamic banners allow you to customize the look and feel of the event according to your own needs and requirements. Dynamic banners provide you control over the look of your AGM. You can add gifs, motivational quotes, and informational images to your banners. Features like a dynamic lobby can help you add music and animated lights of your choice.
- Customized Environment: Look for virtual AGM platforms that provide you the option to customize the environment of your AGM. This will help you create the most immersive and realistic experience for your stakeholders.
- Microsite: Microsite is a place where all the information related to an AGM is put together in detail. It provides all the information that the attendees want to know about the AGM.
- Live Polling and Live Chat: Live polling is a great way to make your AGM interactive. It helps you gather the opinion and insights of the attendees. Mid-session polls can help you determine the attention levels of the attendees and facilitate decision-making. Make sure that the platform you choose provides live polls and live chat features.
- Q&A Sessions: Q&A sessions are a must-have feature while conducting a virtual AGM. Your attendees are your stakeholders, and they might have a lot of doubts regarding the company, its past performance, and future roadmap. Q&A sessions provide them with an opportunity to speak their mind and clarify their doubts.
- Data Analytics: Data analytics is an essential feature that helps you measure the success of your virtual AGM. Look for platforms that provide you with detailed analytics and reports about the performance of the event.
Easy Joining Process
Make sure that the virtual AGM platform is accessible from all the devices like laptops and mobile phones. Look for online AGM platforms that can be accessed in all browsers and devices. Some platforms even provide an introductory guide video to make it easier for the stakeholders who aren’t very tech-savvy. Downloading different apps and installing separate software for each event can make people disinterested. Choose an event platform that can be accessed directly from the browser and is compatible with all devices.
Backed with 24×7 Support
Technical glitches are a common occurrence in any virtual event. They can lead to a lot of time waste and make your attendees lose interest. Various virtual AGM platforms provide 24×7 tech support to make your virtual AGM free from any technical glitch. To make sure your virtual AGM is a seamless and smooth experience for the attendees, look for a virtual event platform that provides you with 24×7 tech support. It will help ensure that you don’t lose a lot of time fixing technical errors.
Security Features
Your company’s confidential information getting leaked is the last thing you want to experience. Security is the topmost concern for any organization hosting a virtual AGM. Look for a virtual AGM platform that provides high-level security and has two-factor authentication to keep your confidential data safe. You can also look for platforms that provide attendee access control. Attendee access control allows you to control who can attend the event.
Excellent Live Audio/Video Tools
Engagement features are integral to any event. As opposed to in-person events, people tend to lose interest in the case of virtual events. Engagement features play a crucial role in reducing the attendee drop-off rate and making your event successful. AGM’s can get boring if they are one-sided. Establish a 2-way communication and make your AGM interactive. Look for features like live polls, Q&A sessions, audio/video chat, dynamic banners, feedback forms, and signature walls in the virtual AGM platform you select. These features will help make your AGM interactive. Feedback forms will make the attendees feel like their opinions are valued, and live polls and Q&A sessions will help keep the attendees engaged throughout the event.
Final Words
While selecting the best virtual event platform is not easy, considering the above factors will help you make the best decision. Now that you are aware of the main factors that you need to consider before choosing an online AGM platform, you can now go and explore the various options available.
