CEIR Releases New Real-World Case Studies on Global Virtual Event Trends

September 7, 2021

The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) recently released two more case studies from its Global Virtual Event Trends series, which examines the insights of organizations that traditionally run or manage in-person B2B exhibitions but pivoted to producing virtual events due to COVID-19-related constraints and regulations.

As the latest case studies in the series, Case Study: Access Intelligence and Case Study: 1st Arabia Tradeshow & Conferences provide real-world examples of how each organization adapted its events to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the results of their strategies and the valuable lessons learned throughout the process.

“1st Arabia’s case study offers an inside look at running virtual events in the Middle East and North African region (MENA),” explained Nancy Drapeau, vice president of research at CEIR. “Approaches share some commonalities and uniqueness compared to the case studies of virtual events in the United States and Canada. Access Intelligence’s case study hones in on the approach and outcomes for one of their medical shows, Manager, which was virtual only in 2020.”

Previously released case studies include:

Case Study: School Nutrition Association
Case Study: Radiological Society of North America
Case Study: Macgregor Communications
Case Study: North American Veterinary Community (NAVC)
Case Study: North Star Travel Group
Case Study: Auto Care Association

Reports in the series include:

Report One – Anatomy of Virtual Events and Financial Outcomes, which details extensive baseline data on elements that are typically included in a virtual event, as well as performance outcomes regarding participation and finance.
Report Two – Lessons Learned To Date and Technologies Used synthesizes open-ended comments shared by executives on lessons learned and technology to run their virtual events.

Fielded in October 2020, the survey for the series was multilingual, giving respondents the choice of completing it in English, Spanish, Portuguese or Arabic.

The sample was generated via the participation of multiple global organizations, which invited qualified members and contacts to participate in this initiative. They include:

A total of 463 executives responded to the invitation to participate in the study, of which 346 were qualified to participate and completed the survey.

“These case studies provide powerful insights into the differing strategies used by exhibition organizers,” said CEIR CEO Cathy Breden. “CEIR appreciates the willingness of those who provided their stories on what has and has not worked with their digital event strategies.”

She continued, “This research was made possible through the collaboration and support from over a dozen organizations who produce B2B exhibitions and/or represent the global B2B exhibitions industry. CEIR is grateful to all who participated for enabling us to provide insights based on objective, unbiased research that will help members of our industry confidently move forward with their own strategies.”

Thanks to sponsorship from Swapcard, CEIR’s Global Virtual Event Trends series reports are available to the industry at no cost from CEIR’s website. To download, go here.

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