# Virtual Conferences Virtual conferences offer affordable alternatives to attending in-person. By [Mishal Omar](https://www.trendhunter.com/MishalO) | Published Jun 1, 2020 | Category: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/technology-trends-and-gadgets) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/virtual-conferences ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.0/10 - Evidence articles: 4 ## What is the Virtual Conferences trend? **Virtual Conferences:** Virtual conferences that function as an alternative to traveling and visiting conferences in-person are on the rise, and ramping up because of COVID-19 restrictions. These conferences allow attendees to access information in a way that's more accessible. ## The consumer insight behind the Virtual Conferences trend Employees of businesses are often focused on professional growth, but attending conferences and other forms of education can be costly and time-consuming. These barriers, coupled with travel restrictions and restrictions on large gatherings around the world due to COVID-19, have made it so that attending conferences is an unrealistic goal for consumers. Thus, people focused on professional growth are prioritizing more accessible opportunities to achieve it. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 4 featured examples - Articles from: Mar 10 to May 27, 2020 - Published: Jun 1, 2020 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Hybridization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/hybridization), [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Virtual Conferences trend ### Virtual Conferences Virtual conferences have emerged as an affordable and accessible alternative to physical conferences, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. ### Immersive Technology Immersive technology, such as virtual reality and augmented reality, offers opportunities to host conferences, job fairs and other events remotely, while providing a highly engaging and interactive experience to attendees. ### Remote Work Remote work has become a trend across many industries due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with virtual conferences and job fairs being an extension of this trend that offer advantages such as cost savings and greater accessibility. ## What the Virtual Conferences trend means for industry ### For Technology Companies in the technology industry can explore the use of immersive technology and virtual conferences to host events and create innovative experiences for remote attendees. ### For HR and Recruitment HR and recruitment professionals can benefit from virtual job fairs to connect with potential candidates from different locations, as well as from attending virtual conferences and training events to stay updated on industry trends and best practices. ### For Education and Professional Development Institutions and organizations in the education and professional development sectors can leverage virtual conferences and seminars to offer affordable and accessible learning opportunities to a wider audience, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. ## Workshop question How is your brand working towards the professional growth of its employees? ## Trend signals for Virtual Conferences Trend score 3.0 out of 10, from popularity 50%, activity 32%, freshness 9%. - Popularity: 50% - Activity: 32% - Freshness: 9% ## Examples of the Virtual Conferences trend 4 featured examples from Mar 10 to May 27, 2020. - [Immersive Virtual Conferences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xr-industry-conference): HTC Pivoted Its Efforts to Host a VR XR Industry Conference (Category: Tech) Implication: The electronics industry can explore opportunities in creating VR hardware and software solutions for immersive virtual conferences. - [Online Developer Conferences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/developer-conference): Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference is Offered Free Online (Category: Tech) Implication: Tech companies can benefit from hosting virtual conferences, allowing for a larger attendance and savings on venue and travel costs. - [Empowering Web-Based Cosmetic Conferences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/merck-live-cosmetic-conference): The Merck Live Cosmetic Conference Starts on March 31st (Category: Fashion) Implication: Opportunities for innovation exist in the cosmetics industry, particularly in the development of personalized beauty products and sustainable solutions for ingredients and packagi… - [Remote Virtual Job Fairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flexjobs): FlexJobs Debuts a Virtual Job Fair to Help Applicants Find Employement (Category: Special) Implication: Opportunity for recruiting and staffing companies to innovate their services by offering virtual job fair events to their clients and candidates. ## Recent trend clusters - [Delegated Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/delegated-interfaces) (Tech) - [Adaptive Controls](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/adaptive-controls) (Tech) - [Desk Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/desk-systems) (Tech) - [Spatial Refinement](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/spatial-refinement) (Tech) ## Trending in Tech - [Decor-Led Home Projectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/decor-led-home-projectors) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) - [Dual-Wavelength Recovery Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joint-therapy) - [Pop-Culture WiFi Routers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-culture-wifi-routers) All articles: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech)