Creating enjoyable virtual experiences for diverse global audiences—regardless of technical skill or language.
When we began hosting virtual and hybrid events, we quickly discovered that while technology opened up amazing possibilities—allowing us to reach people across the globe, of all ages and backgrounds—it also introduced unique challenges.
One key challenge was ensuring a smooth experience for attendees who might be encountering virtual event technology for the first time. Without thoughtful planning, these participants might struggle with navigation, accessing content, or interacting with others, leading to frustration and disengagement.
Here are practical steps to ensure your virtual event is accessible, inclusive, and enjoyable for everyone.
Multilingual events ensure attendees can experience your content in their preferred language. You can host a single event with unified visual elements, while offering language-specific banners, interfaces, and materials tailored to each attendee’s language choice. This creates a cohesive, personalised experience that is equally accessible to participants around the world.
A common question when planning multilingual events is whether social features (such as chat rooms, breakout sessions, or Q&A) should be language-specific or integrated into a unified channel.
Unified Social Channels:
✅ Encourage broader interaction and networking.
⚠️ Might intimidate attendees who aren’t fluent in the event’s primary language.
Language-Specific Channels:
✅ Increase participation and comfort for non-native speakers.
⚠️ May limit overall interaction, creating separate communities within one event.
Ultimately, there’s no single perfect solution. Consider your audience demographics, goals for engagement, and resources available when deciding how best to structure social interaction.
The best way to ensure an accessible event is through intuitive design. Aim for interfaces so clear and self-evident that attendees feel comfortable—even if they’re new to virtual event platforms.