All great events have at least one common factor – superior teamwork. In order to create magical guest experiences, many pieces have to fall into place, and that can only happen when a group of professionals work together with a common goal. Collaboration is key to the success of any event, but in this digital era it has taken on a virtual dimension that is revolutionizing our industry.
Virtual Reality and the Events Industry
The events industry was born to ultimately go virtual! We have long faced the challenges of working not only with clients, who often plan from a distance, but with each other effectively. We have an innate need not only to keep everyone on the same page, but to communicate a common big picture made up of many smaller parts, then come together for a matter of hours to make the impossible seem effortless. Virtual collaboration connects the dots that used to take extreme levels of organization, man hours and frankly, luck, to accomplish.
The Benefits of Virtual Collaboration
Collaborative planning tools allow us to work together without the restrictions of geography. Apps, programs and software make it easy to maintain a database for each event, open to all who are involved, updated in real time. In-person meetings can now be held digitally, and with VR tech the experience is as valuable, if not more so, than costly on-site travel and unnecessary extra in-person meetings. Vendors can share new ideas, confirm specs, finalize pricing, and attain approvals virtually, then all of it can be uploaded, updated, signed digitally, sealed and ultimately delivered.
Virtual collaboration not only increases efficiency and convenience, it promotes accuracy and better end products. Instead of tracking down the information you need to confirm an event-day detail, the ability to use virtual project management software gives you everything you need at your fingertips on practically any device.
Inevitable Pushback
As with every introduction of new technology, there will inevitably be pushback among some towards virtual collaboration as people can be resistant to change. However, it is no longer something forecasted for the future. It’s here. There are apps, software and hardware in the marketplace, being adapted and adopted every day. Our clients expect live access that allows them to see the fruits of our mutual efforts, track our progress and both evaluate and share their opinion of our work virtually themselves. Those who don’t accept this as the reality of our industry will be left behind.
Rather than resist, why not embrace virtual technology and find new and wonderful ways to apply it! What benefits the entire events community will ultimately benefit you. The future is now, so get onboard and start collaborating!
With over 20 years of experience in the international events industry, Sandy Hammer is the co-founder and CMO of AllSeated, a collaborative network for planning events that offers tools including floorplans, 3D view, Guest List, RSVP, Seating, Timelines, Mobile Check-In and more.