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Even though the sheer number of online formats currently available might suggest otherwise, webinars and virtual conferences are not the same thing. Organizers who fail to grasp this distinction contribute to a questionable revival of non-stop, one-way broadcasting—a fatal mistake for any conference.

Virtual conferences are unthinkable without moving images. The question arises whether it is better to always broadcast content live or to work with recordings. Do organizers even have to choose one variant over the other?

Organizing a virtual conference is uncharted territory for many event planners. Experience gained over many years in the world of in-person events often proves only partially effective—or completely ineffective—in a digital environment, and practical advice remains scarce. We want to change that by sharing a few tips that are effective for all virtual conferences.

Conferences are about more than just presentations. This was the clear result of a survey we conducted with hundreds of attendees at academic meetings and congresses. When asked, "What makes a conference successful for you?", the aspects of "networking" and "meeting new contacts" were rated with almost the same level of importance as "gaining new knowledge from presentations."

The coronavirus pandemic forced both organizers and attendees of on-site meetings and conferences to switch to virtual alternatives. Born out of necessity, a wide variety of creative solutions have sprung up like mushrooms.

As practical as virtual conferences may be for overcoming travel restrictions and event cancellations, organizers are just as concerned about new costs coupled with a lower willingness to pay among participants. After expenses are deducted, what is actually left in the virtual space?