Global Virtual Event Platform Market 2024–2033

Reports Description

As per the current market research conducted by CMI Team, the global Virtual Event Platform market is expected to record a CAGR of 14% from 2023 to 2032. In 2022, the market size is projected to reach a valuation of USD 12,025.22 Million. By 2032, the valuation is anticipated to reach USD 29,783.34 Million.

A virtual event platform is designed to facilitate the hosting of virtual conferences, meetings, workshops, online marketplace exhibitions, virtual sports activities, and other events in a convenient and efficient manner. It enables participants to engage in peer-to-peer and one-to-many interactions, distinguishing it from traditional webinar tools.

With a range of features beyond standard video conferencing software, the platform allows users to create, host, and manage virtual events through web or mobile browsers. Similar to a large-scale social event, virtual event platforms are organized by individuals or entities and attract a large number of attendees. These platforms enhance productivity and ensure smooth operations during gatherings by leveraging various technologies.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into business communication platforms has brought about time-saving benefits, increased productivity, and streamlined workflows. Additionally, small and medium-sized enterprises often utilize virtual event platforms for various purposes such as outsourcing, analytics, access management, content creation, social media production, and event promotion.

These virtual events, organized by groups or institutions, attract a significant number of participants and can be likened to large-scale social gatherings. On the other hand, video conferencing is primarily used for internal meetings, discussions, and day-to-day decision-making.

Virtual Event Platform Market – Significant Growth Factors

The global demand for virtual event software is being driven by the increasing preference for virtual events worldwide, coupled with the emergence of live streaming capabilities. The popularity of virtual events has significantly surged since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting organizations to adopt virtual event solutions due to lockdown measures.

Interestingly, even with the resumption of live events, a considerable 90% of companies still consider hosting virtual events. This preference is primarily influenced by the substantial costs and logistical challenges associated with traditional in-person events, including expenses and travel requirements for both hosts and attendees.

As a result, technological advancements, particularly the availability of software-as-a-service-based virtual event solutions and online conferences, have emerged as convenient, rapid, and cost-effective alternatives. The adoption of cloud-based tools enables end-users to create interactive experiences and enhance the sales process by incorporating features like podcasting, instant messaging, and virtual product experiences.

Additionally, the growth of virtual events is positively influenced by the availability of live-streaming capabilities. Live streaming allows a broader audience to access content resources, providing a more contextually aligned experience. Consequently, the global virtual event platform market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the adoption of virtual event platforms by approximately 82% of event organizers.

The increasing number of internet users globally has created a demand for virtual events and various platforms that facilitate such engagements. According to the International Telecommunication Union, in 2019, more than half of the global population, approximately 4 billion people, were using the Internet.

Mobile broadband connections are particularly prevalent, with 77% of the global population having an active mobile broadband connection, while fixed broadband subscribers account for only 15%. Presently, internet access is available in over 59% of households, and approximately 93% of the world’s population has access to a mobile broadband network.

Virtual Event Platform Market – Mergers and Acquisitions

• Cvent’s Acquisition of Hopin: In June 2021, Cvent, a leading event management technology company, announced its acquisition of Hopin, a popular virtual event platform. This strategic acquisition allowed Cvent to bolster its virtual and hybrid event capabilities, combining their respective strengths in event management and virtual event technology.

• Intrado’s Acquisition of On24: In February 2022, Intrado, a global provider of communication and network infrastructure services, completed the acquisition of On24, a prominent virtual event and webinar platform. This acquisition expanded Intrado’s digital events portfolio and positioned them as a comprehensive provider of virtual event solutions.

• Alcatraz AI’s Acquisition of Zoom.ai: In March 2021, Alcatraz AI, a provider of facial authentication solutions for physical access control, acquired Zoom.ai, an artificial intelligence-driven virtual event platform. This acquisition enabled Alcatraz AI to enhance its offerings by incorporating virtual event capabilities and expanding its customer base.

• 6Connex’s Acquisition of vFairs: In April 2021, 6Connex, a virtual event platform provider, acquired vFairs, another leading virtual event technology company. This acquisition strengthened 6Connex’s position in the market and expanded its product portfolio, enabling them to offer a broader range of virtual event solutions.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE RELATED MARKET

Virtual Event Platform Market- Significant Threats

While the virtual event platform market presents numerous growth opportunities, significant threats can also impact the industry. Here are some notable threats in the virtual event platform market:

• Security and Privacy Concerns: Virtual events involve the exchange of sensitive information and personal data. The security of virtual event platforms, including data encryption, user authentication, and protection against cyber threats, is a critical concern. Any security breach or privacy violation can erode trust among participants and hinder the adoption of virtual event platforms.

• Technical Issues and Reliability: Virtual events heavily rely on internet connectivity, hardware, and software performance. Technical glitches, such as network interruptions, latency, audio/video quality issues, or platform instability, can disrupt virtual events and negatively impact the user experience. Ensuring the reliability and stability of virtual event platforms is crucial to avoid participant frustration and event failures.

• Competition from Alternative Technologies: Virtual event platforms face competition from alternative technologies that offer similar functionalities. Web conferencing tools, social media platforms, and other collaboration software may provide basic virtual event capabilities, posing a challenge to dedicated virtual event platforms. The availability of free or low-cost alternatives can also impact the adoption of paid virtual event solutions.

• Learning Curve and User Adoption: Virtual event platforms often require participants to adapt to new interfaces, functionalities, and workflows. The learning curve associated with these platforms can be a barrier to adoption, especially for less tech-savvy users. Platform providers need to invest in user-friendly interfaces, comprehensive training resources, and customer support to facilitate smooth user adoption.

• Evolving User Expectations: As virtual events become more prevalent, participants’ expectations continue to evolve. They seek engaging, interactive, and immersive experiences that replicate the benefits of in-person events. Virtual event platforms must continuously innovate and incorporate features like networking opportunities, virtual exhibitor halls, gamification, and immersive content to meet these changing expectations.

• Regulatory and Compliance Challenges: Virtual events, especially those with global participants, must navigate various regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements related to data privacy, content licensing, intellectual property rights, and accessibility. Adhering to these regulations and ensuring compliance can be complex and may pose challenges for virtual event platform providers.

Report Scope

Category-Wise Insights

By Organization:

The virtual event platform market is segmented based on organization size, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large enterprises. In 2022, the SME segment held the dominant position in the virtual event platform industry.

SMEs are actively investing in the development of new strategies and business frameworks to gain a larger market share, enhance customer service, and establish strong brand identities. These factors are driving the adoption of cloud solutions within SMEs.

The technological advancements, availability of innovative cloud-based solutions, and the increasing adoption of virtualized infrastructure are contributing to the growing popularity of virtual event management platforms among SMEs.

By End-User:

The virtual event platform market is categorized into various end-user segments, including enterprises, healthcare, education, and others. In 2021, the enterprises segment emerged as the largest contributor to the market.

This can be attributed to businesses and public entities’ increasing adoption of digital platforms. Enterprises are utilizing virtual event platforms to create immersive live experiences for their multinational operations and prominent brands, reaching thousands or even millions of users simultaneously.

The availability of full-featured enterprise virtual/hybrid event management platforms allows enterprises to provide easy access to detailed product information, showcase their brands through visuals and videos, incorporate calls to action, and generate immediate sales leads. These platforms redefine the exhibitor and guest experience, enabling enterprises to leverage virtual events for enhanced engagement and business outcomes.

Virtual Event Platform Market – Regional Analysis

The virtual event platform market can be analyzed regionally to understand the market dynamics and trends specific to different geographic areas. Here is a regional analysis of the virtual event platform market:

• North America: North America is a prominent region in the virtual event platform market. The region has a mature technology infrastructure, a high adoption rate of digital solutions, and a large number of enterprises and organizations hosting virtual events. The presence of major virtual event platform providers in the region contributes to market growth. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the adoption of virtual events in North America.

• Europe: Europe is another significant market for virtual event platforms. The region has a strong presence of industries such as healthcare, education, and technology that extensively utilize virtual event solutions. The increasing adoption of digital technologies, government initiatives, and the need for remote collaboration and communication drive the market growth in Europe.

• Asia Pacific: The Asia Pacific region is witnessing significant growth in the virtual event platform market. Countries like China, Japan, India, and South Korea are experiencing a surge in virtual events due to rapid digitalization, increasing internet penetration, and the presence of a large number of SMEs. The demand for virtual event platforms is also driven by the growing popularity of webinars, online training sessions, and virtual trade shows.

• Latin America: Latin America is an emerging market for virtual event platforms. The region is experiencing a rise in the adoption of digital technologies and virtual events across various sectors, including healthcare, education, and entertainment. Increasing internet connectivity, favorable government regulations, and the need for cost-effective event management solutions contribute to market growth in Latin America.

• Middle East and Africa: The Middle East and Africa region are witnessing a gradual but steady adoption of virtual event platforms. The market growth is primarily driven by the increasing focus on digital transformation, the presence of large enterprises, and the need for efficient event management solutions. The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the adoption of virtual events in the region.

List of the prominent players in the Virtual Event Platform Market:

• 6Connex
• BigMarker
• Hubilo Softech Private Limited
• Intrado Corporation
• Livestorm SAS
• Pathable
• Microsoft
• ubivent GmbH
• Zoom
• Cisco
• Others

The Virtual Event Platform Market is segmented as follows:

By Solution

• Software
  • Integrated Virtual Event Platforms
  • Standalone Software
• Services
  • Live Event Support
  • Post Event Processing Services
  • Event Consulting Services
  • Support Services
  • Other Services

By Enterprise Size

• Virtual Event Platforms for SMEs
• Virtual Event Platforms for Large Enterprises

By End User

• Virtual Event Platforms for Enterprises or Corporates
• Virtual Event Platforms for Event Management Agencies
• Virtual Event Platforms for Academic Institutions
• Virtual Event Platforms for Trade Show Organizers
• Others

By Region

North America

• U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico
• Rest of North America

Europe

• Germany
• France
• U.K.
• Italy
• Spain
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• New Zealand
• Australia
• South Korea
• Rest of Asia Pacific

The Middle East & Africa

• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Egypt
• Kuwait
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of Latin America