In the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, many of us were forced to rely on video conferencing in ways we never had before. Those early days of poor video, low security (remember Zoom bombing?), connectivity issues and sometimes confused participants have given way to professionally managed solutions that provide an actual – and often elevated – experience for attendees. This experience, which has proven to attract attendees today with highly engaging programming, is going to be the new standard which will be expected by attendees in the near future.

We’ve seen this kind of evolution before. When television hit the market, it was a seismic shift – even with rudimentary technology and limited options viewed on small, black and white screens, content came to life through the richness of video. People no longer had to imagine how a news event played out – they could see it for themselves, in almost real time. Once color entered the picture, the impact on the public was even more profound as the imagery became more captivating.

From today’s standards, it’s difficult to imagine watching a broadcast with this low level of video quality, simple graphics and props, and clunkier transitions between segments on-screen. We accepted what was delivered back then, as there was simply no choice otherwise and the inherent value in video was still a huge step up from audio or print media. But, no one would be willing to go back to that experience after watching today’s level of high-definition broadcast and streaming options.

Video conferencing is no different. We all dealt with – tolerated – rudimentary experiences from Zoom, WebEx, and other services three years ago because we had to. Today, with more people working remotely as a full-time option rather than an emergency, expectations have grown.

According to data from the World Economic Forum, the number of global career professionals working remotely doubled from 2020-to-2021. Studies also show that video meetings boost productivity by 50%, while 76% of career professionals count on video meetings to make them more productive on the job – especially when working remotely. But now, in 2023, professionals across industries aren’t settling for the basic, out of the box functionality provided by desktop video conference software.

They’re aiming higher, with professionally managed virtual meetings that deliver an elevated viewing experience including not only higher-resolution video, but also enhanced, custom graphics, vastly improved sound quality, multimedia capabilities, interactive tools like polls and Q&As, and smooth transitions between meeting segments. It is essential to keep up with the powerful high quality television broadcast of today.

Video Meeting Technology is Changing the Game

The evolution in video production quality for virtual meetings has undeniable benefits for attendees as well as companies that use professionally managed virtual solutions. Increased production quality helps businesses better communicate their stories to key stakeholders and fosters collaboration and connection in ways that basic options simply cannot.

Today’s best virtual meetings offer harmonious, elevated experiences that are the sum of many parts. When you go to a movie, the screen, the theater, and the sound system all contribute to the experience. If any of those aren’t there, or aren’t very good, it just falls flat. The best virtual meetings are no different.

Companies that leverage next-generation video technologies for their virtual meetings and conferences provide an elevated experience for their attendees – one they’ll remember and one they’ll be more engaged with. What’s more, these professionally managed platforms are continuing to evolve as well, bringing heightened features each step of the way.

It starts with a “crystal clear” view. Video conferencing has shifted into overdrive in the past few years, with no shortage of potentially game-changing technologies. Immersive video conferencing promises to change the picture on digital meetings by allowing dozens of meeting participants to merge into a single connected screen, instead of splitting participants up in disparate checkerboard-style backgrounds.

Adding broadcast-quality features elevates the experience. By adding engagement-enhancing features like custom graphics, video editing, and substantially superior sound quality, companies are creating broadcast-quality virtual meetings that make attendees feel like they’re tuning into their favorite TV program as opposed to logging onto yet another call for work.

Facilitating audience engagement and storytelling. Advanced production quality helps communicate every company’s messages better, improves clarity in storytelling, and presents the company’s executives at their best. Enhanced video production keeps attendees engaged and focused on what matters most, whether the attendees are employees, investors, important clients, analysts, or even the general public.

A more inclusive video meeting experience. While foundational video meeting platforms like WebEx, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams set the stage, professionally managed virtual meeting alternatives have upped user expectations with specific tools designed to engage attendees in ways that make them feel more included and connected.

Breakout rooms, tools for audience participation, downloadable content, and interactive elements like surveys and Q-and-A’s combine to create an experience that brings participants together in more meaningful and productive ways.

As high-speed internet access has become ubiquitous and cost effective, high-quality video meetings and events have become unblocked by technical limitations — similar to how digital cable and high-definition satellite changed the broadcast television landscape forever.

Unstoppable progress

Professionally managed virtual meeting solutions aren’t just eliminating “Zoom fatigue,” they’re creating an unstoppable train of progress that’s reshaping the way people meet, collaborate, and make decisions. Just as television continues to evolve to keep audiences tuned in, virtual meetings are making huge leaps to captivate attendees. This ongoing evolution of virtual meetings is giving businesses the opportunity to tell their stories and foster collaboration in ways never before experienced. To find out more about what’s next in the exciting world of meetings that matter, contact OpenExchange.