--- title: What Makes a Virtual Conference Successful? Engagement description: Learn what defines virtual conference success and how engagement-driven strategies improve attendee outcomes. image: https://psg-events.com/hubfs/15-virtual-conf.png --- [Skip to content](https://psg-events.com/blog/virtual-conf#main-content) [![PSG Events](https://psg-events.com/hubfs/psg-header-logo-lossless-20261001.svg)](https://psg-events.com/) - [Home](https://psg-events.com) - [Services](https://psg-events.com/services) - [International Events Portfolio Management](https://psg-events.com/international-meetings-management) - [Event Forensics](https://psg-events.com/event-forensics) - [Conference Planning](https://psg-events.com/conference-operations-experts) - [Experiential & Creative Production](https://psg-events.com/conference-led-av-production) - [About Us](https://psg-events.com/about-us) - [Blog](https://psg-events.com/blog) - [Client Results](https://www.psg-events.com/client-results) - [Client Results - Global Meetings Portfolio for Life Sciences Client](https://psg-events.com/client-results/global-meetings-management) - [Client Results - Event Forensics for National Association](https://psg-events.com/client-results/national-association-event-forensics) - [Client Results - California Roadshow](https://psg-events.com/client-results/hea-california-roadshow) - [Client Results - Biotech Conference in Australia](https://psg-events.com/australian-biotech-conference-case-study) - [Client Results - Longevity Summit in Austin](https://psg-events.com/client-results/vibrant-longevity-summit) - [Client Results - SXSW and A4M](https://psg-events.com/a4m-sxsw-event-case-study) - [Client Results - Sourcing Strategy for Global HVAC Company](https://psg-events.com/client-results/global-hvac-event-portfolio) - [Contact Us](https://psg-events.com/contact-us) [Start a Conversation](https://psg-events.com/contact-us) Menu [← All insights](https://psg-events.com/blog) **IN THIS ARTICLE** Show all sections [Plan with PSG Events ↗](https://psg-events.com/contact-us) PSG INSIGHTS · CONFERENCE PLANNING # What Makes a Virtual Conference Successful? Engagement [Magdalena Bonnelly](https://psg-events.com/blog/author/magdalena-bonnelly) Aug 21, 2025, 8:07:12 AM ![PSG Events: What makes a virtual conference successful?](https://psg-events.com/hs-fs/hubfs/15-virtual-conf.png?width=1000&height=560&name=15-virtual-conf.png) One word - engagement! We have been hearing this term quite a bit these days as virtual conferences are booming and not going away anytime soon. For me, to figure out event engagement strategies is to base them in data and research on human behavior. After, of course, setting goals and objectives of your digital meeting. ### Engagement Human behavior is an evolving mystery. But there are studies and research out there about human behavior, motivation strategies and personality traits. So get to know your attendees and talk to them before the event i.e. via surveys. Do not wait to engage with your attendees only during the event or right after. The moment they register for your event or express an interest in the event, start communicating with them. When I was asked to speak at a webinar for Houston chapter of IABC "Event Strategies for success in a post-covid world", I have asked planner of the webinar to send out 2 questions from me before the webinar, immediately upon each attendee registering. Either the attendees answered the questions or not, it got them thinking about the topic. This simple gesture showed that I really wanted to know them and their struggles. Do you need help with creative attendee engagement strategies? [Contact us](https://share.hsforms.com/1eQrB71vMSaKelizBSzDHQwq8slh) to schedule free consult! ### Success for virtual conference exhibitors There has been a study done by one of the virtual event platforms (Swapcard), where it showed that exhibitors have an big opportunity to engage with attendees and get quality leads. One of the event strategy for virtual conference is to invite your attendees to log in and browse exhibitors, who are there to talk to the attendees and show their product before and after the virtual conference – do not rely on attendees to maneuver between breakout session and networking to visit exhibitor booths. Additionally, just like you want to get to know your attendees, talk to your exhibitors with a goal to find out what they are trying to achieve from having a booth at your show. Include them in the design process - after all they are the ones who pay big bucks to be there. ### Success for virtual conference attendees Return on immersement™. This term came to me after listening to Duncan Wardle, ex-vp from Disney, talking about creativity and reading his articles. His Tedx talk is truly fascinating, and I encourage you to listen to it. In short, he talks about evolution of Disneyland and its approach to immersive experience for anyone who goes to their parks. And if you listen to his talk, you will realize that return on immersement™does not happen overnight. What I want event organizers to know is that we are at the beginning of fundamental changes - changes to how things have been done in event and meetings industry for years. Technology caught up with all of the conference organizers because of COVID. And your organization’s success with return on immersement™ will not be an overnight matter but with carefully designed strategies, I truly believe you will be on the way to start creating a desired level of success for your conference. For help with these strategies and more, [contact us](https://share.hsforms.com/1eQrB71vMSaKelizBSzDHQwq8slh) today! [← Explore more PSG insights](https://psg-events.com/blog) **Have a conference on your calendar?** Tell us what you are planning and where your team needs support. [Discuss your conference with PSG Events ↗](https://psg-events.com/contact-us) KEEP READING ## More from PSG Events ### [Event Budget Oversight: An Event Forensics Case Study](https://psg-events.com/blog/event-budget-oversight-case-study) Jul 23, 2026, 1:22:01 PM ### [Conference Planning vs. Operations: What’s the Difference?](https://psg-events.com/blog/conference-planning-vs.-conference-operations) Jul 21, 2026, 4:21:25 PM ### [Conference Venue Contracts: What Should You Review?](https://psg-events.com/blog/conference-venue-contracts-2026-guide) Jun 25, 2026, 5:12:28 PM [![PSG Events](https://psg-events.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/psg-events-theme/images/psg-events-footer-logo-gold-corrected.svg)](https://psg-events.com/) Serving corporate and association conferences across the United States and international destinations Dallas, Texas and Tampa, Florida Services [Conference Operations ↗](https://psg-events.com/conference-operations-experts) [AV & LED Production ↗](https://psg-events.com/conference-led-av-production) [Event Forensics™ ↗](https://psg-events.com/event-forensics) Navigate [Services ↗](https://psg-events.com/services) [About PSG Events ↗](https://psg-events.com/about-us) [Client Results ↗](https://psg-events.com/#testimonials) [Contact ↗](https://psg-events.com/contact-us) ![PCMA](https://psg-events.com/hs-fs/hubfs/footer-pcma.webp?width=400&height=400&name=footer-pcma.webp) Member, Southeast Chapter ![American Marketing Association Tampa Bay](https://psg-events.com/hs-fs/hubfs/footer-ama-tampa.webp?width=214&height=75&name=footer-ama-tampa.webp) Member, Tampa Bay ![American Marketing Association Dallas-Fort Worth](https://psg-events.com/hubfs/Logo_Blue_SVG.svg) Member, Dallas-Fort Worth ![Meeting Professionals International](https://psg-events.com/hs-fs/hubfs/member-mpi.webp?width=590&height=228&name=member-mpi.webp) Member, MPI ![ASAE member](https://psg-events.com/hs-fs/hubfs/member-asae.webp?width=480&height=263&name=member-asae.webp) Member, ASAE ![IATA Accredited Travel Agent](https://psg-events.com/hs-fs/hubfs/footer-iata.webp?width=160&height=160&name=footer-iata.webp) Accredited since 2019 © 2026 Event Strategies, LLC dba PSG Events. All Rights Reserved. Registered LLC entity in Texas and Florida [Privacy Policy](https://psg-events.com/privacy-policy) [Back to top ↑](https://psg-events.com/blog/virtual-conf#top) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Magdalena Bonnelly", "url" : "https://psg-events.com/blog/author/magdalena-bonnelly" }, "dateModified" : "2026-09-19T00:39:01.211Z", "datePublished" : "2025-08-21T12:07:12.000Z", "headline" : "What Makes a Virtual Conference Successful? Engagement", "image" : [ "https://psg-events.com/hubfs/15-virtual-conf.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://psg-events.com/blog/virtual-conf", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://psg-events.com/hubfs/LOGO%20Main.svg" }, "name" : "Event Strategies, LLC DBA Procurement Strategy Group" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://psg-events.com/#organization", "@type" : "Organization", "alternateName" : [ "Procurement Strategy Group", "PSG" ], "areaServed" : { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Worldwide" }, "award" : [ "Smart Women in Meetings Award (Smart Meetings, 2021)" ], "contactPoint" : { "@type" : "ContactPoint", "areaServed" : "Worldwide", "availableLanguage" : [ "English", "Spanish" ], "contactType" : "customer service", "email" : "hello@psg-events.com" }, "description" : "PSG Events is a full-service conference planning and live event production firm specializing in strategic procurement, contract negotiation, and risk reduction for high-stakes conferences. Home of the proprietary Event Forensics methodology.", "email" : "hello@psg-events.com", "founder" : { "@id" : "https://psg-events.com/about#magdalena-bonnelly", "@type" : "Person", "jobTitle" : "Founder and Strategic Director", "name" : "Magdalena Bonnelly", "sameAs" : "https://www.linkedin.com/in/magdalenabonnelly/" }, "foundingDate" : "2019", "image" : "https://psg-events.com/hubfs/Procurement Strategy Group Full Logo vertically Stacked Gold Rgb.svg", "knowsAbout" : [ "Conference planning", "Event procurement", "Contract negotiation", "Hotel contract negotiation", "AV and LED production", "Event Forensics", "Meetings and events strategy", "Enterprise event management", "Event risk mitigation", "Event spend optimization" ], "legalName" : "Event Strategies, LLC", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 1200, "url" : "https://psg-events.com/hubfs/Procurement Strategy Group Full Logo vertically Stacked Gold Rgb.svg", "width" : 1200 }, "name" : "PSG Events", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.linkedin.com/company/procurementstrategygroup", "https://www.facebook.com/ProcurementStrategyGroup/", "https://www.instagram.com/procurement_strategy_group/" ], "subjectOf" : [ { "@type" : "PodcastEpisode", "name" : "PSG Events on Event Business Formula Podcast", "url" : "https://eventbusinessformula.com/podcast/117/" }, { "@type" : "Article", "name" : "Event Tech That Works For You, Not Against You", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "Accelevents" }, "url" : "https://www.accelevents.com/blog/event-tech-that-works-for-you-not-against-you" }, { "@type" : "Article", "name" : "It's a Small Meetings World After All", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "Smart Meetings" }, "url" : "https://www.smartmeetings.com/magazine_article/its-a-small-meetings-world-after-all" }, { "@type" : "Article", "name" : "Third-Party Planners Taking Charge: Protect Contracts That Will Last", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "Skift Meetings" }, "url" : "https://meetings.skift.com/2021/05/10/third-party-planners-taking-charge-protect-contracts-will-last/" }, { "@type" : "Article", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Magdalena Bonnelly" }, "name" : "10x Your Next Conference: A Holistic Procurement Methodology", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "Smart Meetings" }, "url" : "https://www.smartmeetings.com/tips-tools/154517/10x-your-next-conference-holistic-procurement-methodology" } ], "url" : "https://psg-events.com" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://psg-events.com/#website", "@type" : "WebSite", "description" : "PSG Events: high-stakes conference planning, live event production, and Event Forensics audits.", "inLanguage" : "en-US", "name" : "PSG Events", "publisher" : { "@id" : "https://psg-events.com/#organization" }, "url" : "https://psg-events.com" } ```