Look at any event audience, and it can usually be broken down into three distinct groups.

First, there are those who enjoy the status quo of networking with new groups of people and contributing to panel discussions. Next, there are the people who generally shy away from large gatherings and networking. Wedged between those personalities are attendees whose interest depends on the event itself.

What now?

That’s a question many brands and event organizers are asking themselves as the fallout of COVID-19 becomes less pronounced. But the answer to that question doesn’t require a lengthy search, especially for brands that hosted hybrid events during the peak of the pandemic.

Circumstances forced many organizers to forgo traditional in-person gatherings and weave virtual elements into those events. This approach helped keep in-person attendees safe and remote visitors engaged, even from the comfort of their own homes.

The pandemic drastically altered how live experiences are produced. While festivals and large gatherings are still on hold, the emergence of open-air, car-focused events allows consumers to experience an engaging and unique branded touchpoint to enjoy from the comfort of their vehicles.

Pop-up drive-thru and drive-in events offer a welcome and effective option for engaging consumers who spent most of 2020 attending virtual events through laptop and smartphone screens. Through these (from a distance) in-person interactions, brands can safely create shareable and memorable experiences.

The need for interpersonal connection is natural for humans. In the words of bestselling author and marketing strategist David Meerman Scott, people crave the opportunity to be “part of a tribe of other humans.” Needless to say, the COVID-19 pandemic has limited this ability.

For many companies and customers, the pandemic has tested the durability of our relationships and spotlighted our basic need for human interaction. We’ve seen weddings canceled or postponed, seminars go virtual, and routine greetings like handshakes and hugs pushed aside. All the while, we’ve had no clue when those everyday interactions — and large in-person events — will return.

Can you prove that your event marketing plan is paying dividends?

Chances are, you already believe it does. According to Bizzabo's 2019 Event Marketing Benchmarks and Trends Report, most marketers see event marketing as their most effective channel. But can you prove it to your boss?

The study states that event marketing spend grew 17% between 2017 and 2018. Clearly, company executives are willing to pay for this type of marketing. But that favor will only extend as far as marketers can show ROI. Just as with traditional promotions, you need to capture quantifiable marketing metrics that show the results of your experiential events.