The Future of Virtual Events in Community Building

Not all that long ago, virtual events saved the day. At first, they were just a way to keep things going during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Now, however, they’ve grown into something much bigger. In fact, virtual events are helping people come together, share ideas, and build relationships from anywhere in the world.

Why Virtual Events Still Matter in 2025

Whether you’re leading a business brand, a charitable organization, or a professional or trade association, a well-designed and properly executed virtual event can be just what you need to transform a disengaged audience into a strong community. 

From Pandemic Pivot to Long-Term Strategy

When the pandemic hit, businesses quickly switched from in-person meetings to virtual ones. Many expected this change to be short-term. But then, something surprising happened: Virtual events actually worked. They allowed companies to reach more people, cut travel costs, and grow their brands.

Today, virtual events are no longer just a “Plan B.” Companies are using them to launch products, hold team-building events, train staff, and host global conferences. A virtual event can check all the same boxes as before, but it can also do more. 

Engagement at Scale: A Community Opportunity

A key benefit of virtual events is the inherent scalability. You may start off with a few dozen attendees, but you can actually reach hundreds or even thousands of people at once. This helps companies and community groups grow their audience faster. 

But scale isn’t just about numbers. It’s about connection, which is essential to building a strong community.

With the right tools and planning, virtual events can make each person feel seen and heard. Breakout rooms, live Q&A, chat tools, and polls help turn big events into personal experiences, making participants feel like part of a group. And of course, when people experience a sense of belonging, they are more likely to stay connected to your brand or community.

Top Virtual Event Trends Fueling Community Growth

Staying on top of developing trends with virtual events helps ensure your event is capable of fostering that sense of belonging among disconnected participants. Here are a few of the trends now leading the virtual event space. 

Hybrid Experiences Are the New Normal

In 2025, many events are hybrid, offering both in-person and online access. Attendees now have more choices. Some prefer the face-to-face feel of physical presence, while others need the flexibility of logging in remotely.

Hybrid events are also inherently inclusive. They allow people with limited travel budgets, health concerns, or busy schedules to take part while still allowing the in-person interaction that others prefer. For companies, hybrid formats also mean more ways to collect feedback, build relationships, and reach a wider group of people.

Gamification & Immersive Tech

Who doesn’t like to play? Thanks to gamification and immersive tech, virtual events are becoming more fun and interactive. Gamification (the addition of game-like elements, such as leaderboards, badges, and challenges) drives engagement and excitement, which in turn builds goodwill and drives purchasing decisions.

Immersive tech (virtual reality and augmented reality, or VR and AR) can bring events to life and thrill attendees, no matter where they’re physically located. Instead of just watching a speaker, attendees might “move” through a 3D expo or explore a product in a virtual showroom. These tools make virtual events feel more like real life, thereby boosting engagement rates and helping people remember the event for a longer period of time. 

Personalization Through AI & Data

Traditional in-person events are pretty much one-size-fits-all (or most). A combination of AI, data collection tools, and digital event apps and platforms helps make virtual events more personal. 

Attendees can access content that matches their interests and preferences, like custom agendas or breakout sessions. AI chatbots can help answer questions in real time. And data from past events can help organizers understand what worked and what didn’t, thus making the next event more successful.

How Events Power Real Community Connections

While traditional live events can feel impersonal and somewhat monolithic, virtual events have a unique set of characteristics that actually fosters connection.

Turning Audiences Into Participants

Good virtual events involve people, instead of just talking at them. Features such as chat, polls, breakout rooms, and workshops make attendees feel like their input and time is valued. This is what turns an audience into a community. 

When people feel like they have a voice, they come back. They bring others with them. And they start building relationships with each other. 

Case Example: Speed Networking Done Right

Speed networking sessions match people in quick one-on-one chats, often just 3–5 minutes long. It’s like virtual “speed dating,” but for business or shared interests.

When done well, speed networking helps people break the ice and make real connections at a virtual event. Organizers can use hashtags or AI to match people with shared goals. For growing communities, this kind of quick connection can be the start of long-term relationships.

The Role of Micro-Events in Deepening Belonging

Not every virtual event needs to be big. In fact, smaller micro-events are often more powerful. Ranging from private chats to group coaching sessions, micro-events give people a chance to speak up, ask questions, and get to know each other more organically. This is key to building communities that last.

Driving Post-Event Momentum & Community Activation

A successful virtual event is just the beginning of the journey. What happens after is crucial to creating a stronger sense of community among attendees. 

Follow-Up Strategies That Sustain Engagement

A thoughtful follow-up plan helps sustain the event energy. This might include sending thank-you emails, sharing highlights, or inviting attendees to join a private group or forum.

The goal is to keep people talking and connecting. They might sign up for your newsletter, attend another event, or start chatting with others in your community. That’s how one event becomes a lasting relationship.

Content Repurposing to Extend Value

Virtual events often create a lot of content, from videos to slides and more. Instead of using it just once, transform it. Repurposed event content means your brand can publish more blog posts, social media clips, training materials, or content for an email series.

Repurposing keeps your message alive. It also helps people who couldn’t attend still feel included. And it gives you more ways to stay top-of-mind with your growing community.

Tracking Metrics That Matter (Beyond Attendance)

Counting attendees is smart, but just the start. Strategic event organizers look at deeper and more meaningful metrics, such as chat activity, poll responses, repeat attendance, and post-event signups.

These numbers show how engaged people really were. They help you learn what worked and what to do better next time. Over time, tracking these community-focused metrics can help you grow stronger, more connected audiences.

Planning Virtual Events with Community at the Core

The best virtual event planners start with the end in mind, then look for ways to infuse community-building elements.

Setting Goals Aligned With Community KPIs

Before planning any event, ask: What are we trying to build or improve? The answer should lead you to select the right KPIs (key performance indicators) to gauge the success of your event.

For example, if your goal is to grow membership, you might track new signups or referrals. If your goal is engagement, you might focus on chat volume or follow-up actions. Setting clear goals helps you plan more efficiently and show real value.

Choosing Platforms That Support Peer-to-Peer Engagement

All platforms are not created equal. Some are great for webinars, while others encourage conversation between attendees. For community-building, choose a platform that lets people connect, not just consume.

Features such as breakout rooms, private messaging, discussion boards, and networking tools help your audience members meet each other. That’s where real communities grow.

Empowering Community Teams to Co-Create Events

Community building works best when it’s a team effort. Let your community help shape your events. Ask for input, invite members to lead sessions, or feature user-generated content. When people help create the event, they feel more invested. They’re not just attending; they’re co-creating. That shared ownership helps your community stay active and loyal.

What’s Next: Virtual Events as Community Infrastructure

Future virtual events will be part of the basic structure that holds communities together. They’ll work like bridges, connecting people, ideas, and opportunities across distance and time zones.

As tech evolves, we’ll see more creative ways to meet, share, and grow together online. Virtual events will help train teams, launch projects, support causes, and build movements. They will be a key piece of how we work, learn, and connect in the future.

Final Thoughts: Building Stronger Communities, One Event at a Time

Virtual events have changed how we gather and how we build community. They give us the power to reach more people, offer more access, and create more ways to connect.

When carefully planned with a focus on people instead of numbers, virtual events can turn strangers into collaborators and communities. The future of virtual events is not just about better tech. It’s about building stronger, more human-centered connections, one event at a time.