What are Zoom Events & How to Use Them

Have you ever felt lost when organizing or attending a virtual Zoom event? Zoom Events can seem overwhelming at first, but understanding it better can transform your experience from confusing to clear.

In this article, we'll explore the following:

• What Zoom Events are
• Pricing
• The difference between Zoom Events and Zoom Meetings
• The difference between host and attendee
• How Zoom Events work
• The different types of Zoom Events

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What are Zoom Events?

Zoom Events is an all-encompassing platform for hosting virtual and hybrid events. It extends Zoom's reliable video conferencing capabilities with specialized tools for comprehensive event management, catering to personal interactions and large-scale conferences.

Zoom Events Pricing

Zoom Events is a more advanced option for robust registration and networking. It is suitable for both virtual and hybrid events. This plan supports up to 100 attendees and costs $149 monthly or $1490 yearly.

It builds on the Sessions package with added features for multi-session events, tailored ticketing, a mobile app for easy access, an Expo Floor and Sponsor area to increase revenue, customizable attendee profiles for networking, on-demand content in the Event Lobby, and curated event templates for quick setup.

For more information, check out Zoom’s pricing page here.

Key Features of Zoom Events

• Stream sessions directly to the event lobby, allowing attendees to select their interests to boost engagement and personalize the experience.
• Advanced networking capabilities let attendees connect effectively.
• Use detailed analytics to drive event ROI and make informed decisions to improve future events.
• In-built production tools enable high-quality event hosting without the need for external agencies.
• Interactive expo floors and customizable sponsor areas provide additional engagement and revenue opportunities.
• Extend the life of your event with on-demand video content, available for attendees to view at their convenience.
• Tailor every aspect of the event, from registration pages through certificates of attendance to the event lobby.
  

Zoom Events serves various event types and sizes. Its integrated calendar and scheduling tools provide an accessible overview of all upcoming events to ensure organizers can manage their event timelines efficiently.

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Zoom Events Vs Zoom Meetings: Understanding the Differences

When deciding between Zoom Events and Zoom Meetings, you must understand their distinct functionalities and how they cater to different needs. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown:

Zoom Meetings

Zoom Meetings are for shorter, more direct interactions. These sessions are for everyday meetings in a single virtual room. Attendees join, participate in the discussion or presentation, and leave once the meeting ends. It’s a straightforward solution for routine business communications where features like screen sharing, real-time messaging, and video conferencing are essential.

Key Features of Zoom Meetings

• Quick and straightforward to set up for immediate communication
• Ideal for team meetings, client discussions, or educational sessions
• Supports video and audio conferencing with screen-sharing capabilities
• Backed by Zoom experts ready to assist with any technical needs or challenges that arise during meetings
• Allows for real-time interaction among participants
  

Zoom Meetings are best for straightforward, small to medium-sized gatherings that focus on communication and collaboration among a set number of participants.

In addition to these features, you can improve your Zoom Meetings using transcription service tools like Tactiq. It accurately transcribes your live meetings. It’s great for keeping records, improving accessibility, and ensuring that participants can review the discussions anytime. To start using Tactiq on your computer, follow these steps:

1. Visit the Chrome Web Store.
2. Click ‘Add to Chrome’ on the right-hand side of the page, then ‘Add Extension’.
3. Open Zoom, and you’ll find the Tactiq widget on the right-hand side of the screen.
   

For helpful tips on testing your Zoom setup before a meeting, check out How to Test Zoom Before a Meeting.

Zoom Events

Zoom Events is for more complex, larger-scale events like conferences or multi-day workshops. Unlike a regular Zoom meeting, Zoom Events can encompass multiple sessions over several days, creating a comprehensive virtual event experience. Each session within Zoom Events can host over 100 interactive video panelists, with up to 49 visible on-screen at a time.

Key Features of Zoom Events

• Designed to host large-scale events
• Allows for extensive attendee interaction, making it suitable for large audiences
• Advanced registration processes, including ticketing and attendee management
• Offers capabilities for a hybrid experience, combining in-person and virtual elements and more
  

Zoom Events are for large, structured events that require comprehensive planning and execution, such as industry conferences, educational series, or extensive training sessions. They provide tools for engagement and interaction on a scale that Zoom Meetings cannot, with added features for event management and participant engagement.

Choosing between Zoom Meetings and Zoom Events will depend on the scale and complexity of your event, the level of interaction required, and whether you need features geared towards larger audiences and extended durations.

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How Do Zoom Events Work?

Understanding how to join and navigate Zoom Events, from the initial event details to the real-time interactions in Zoom rooms, can maximize your virtual experience. Zoom offers several ways to effectively engage with a specific event from a desktop, mobile app, or web browser.

Before joining any Zoom Event, make sure you have:

• The latest version of the Zoom desktop client or mobile app
• A Basic, Pro, Business, Enterprise, or Education Zoom account
• Signed in with the same account used to register for the event
  

How to join a Zoom Event

How to join a Zoom Event from the desktop client

• Open the Zoom desktop client and sign in.
• Navigate to the 'Meetings' tab, then 'Upcoming.' This section provides a view of your scheduled upcoming events.

• Find the event you registered for and click 'Join.’
  

How to join a Zoom Event from the mobile app

1. Open the Zoom mobile app and sign in.
2. Tap the 'Meetings' tab, locate the event, and tap 'Join.’

3. Alternatively, tap 'View Event' from the calendar invite or link to access the event page.
   

How to join a Zoom Event from the web browser

1. Sign in to your Zoom account on a web browser.
2. Join the event through the link in your registration confirmation or the event's detail page.

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Comparing the Role of the Host vs the Role of the Attendee in Zoom Events

Host Role

Zoom Events hosts have extensive control and management tools to create, manage, and oversee events. The platform supports various event types, including internal and external events, making it suitable for businesses, organizations, and enterprises of all sizes.

Image from Zoom

Key Responsibilities of the Host

• Hosts can initiate and set up events through the Organizer Mode. Organizer Mode includes creating the event, managing registrations, handling ticketing, and overseeing the event schedule.
• Hosts can manage their branded event hub, the central point for all event activities and information.
• Hosts must manage billing and payments for paid events, necessitating a business account with payment platforms like Stripe or PayPal.
• Hosts can control user access, track participant engagement, and manage attendee interactions during the event.
• Hosts handle the technical aspects of the event, such as setting up live or Simulive sessions, managing recordings, and ensuring the event runs smoothly on the technical front.
  

Attendee Role

Attendees at Zoom Events engage with the platform primarily to participate in the events they are interested in. Their experience is more passive than the host's but crucial for the event's success.

Key Responsibilities of the Attendee

• Attendees join events through links provided upon registration and can navigate between different sessions using the event lobby.
• They can interact with other participants and speakers via chat, Q&A, and polls.
• Attendees are encouraged to provide feedback, rate sessions, and engage with content through mechanisms like webinar reactions and surveys.
• Attendees manage their profiles, tickets, and event schedules within the platform. They can also set preferences for language and notifications according to their needs.
  

Switching Between Modes

Hosts can switch between Organizer Mode and Attendee Mode, allowing them to experience the event from an attendee's perspective. Switching helps hosts gauge the attendee experience firsthand and adjust to improve engagement and interaction.

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What are the Different Zoom Event Types?

Zoom Events offers various event types tailored to meet different hosting needs, ranging from single-session events to complex multi-day conferences with multiple sessions. Understanding the available event types can help hosts plan and execute their events effectively.

Multiple Sessions

This event type is ideal for hosting multi-day events that include multiple tracks and sessions running concurrently. Attendees and hosts can easily access comprehensive event details through Zoom's user-friendly interface. It mimics the experience of large-scale, in-person events such as conventions, trade shows, and global training. Features for this type include:

• Streaming previews and live sessions
• Concurrent sessions with dedicated chat functions
• Enhanced lobby features, including sponsor networking and expo booths
  

Use Cases

• Convention-center style events
• Trade shows
• Large conferences
• Global training programs
  

Single Session

The single-session event type, known as Zoom Sessions, is perfect for events that occur on a single day and consist of one meeting or webinar session. This format is well-suited for smaller, more focused gatherings and includes features such as:

• Participation in Q&A during the session
• HD video quality
• The ability to join the event 15 minutes before the start
  

Use Cases

• All-Hands Meetings
• Townhall Style Meetings
• Networking events
• Employee Resource Group (ERG) events

Recurring Series Event

For events that need to occur regularly, the recurring series event type allows for scheduling events daily, weekly, or monthly with consistent settings across all occurrences. This format supports:

• Registration or ticket purchases for the entire series.
• Drop-in tickets for specific dates within the series, accommodating flexible attendance.
  

Use Cases

• Academic classes
• Regular training sessions
• Community meetings
• Prerequisites for Hosting Zoom Events
  

To host any of these event types, you need:

• A Pro, Business, Enterprise, or Education Zoom account.
• A Zoom Events Unlimited license or a Zoom Events Pay Per Attendee license.
• A Zoom meeting license and Zoom webinar license for session functionalities.
• A Stripe or PayPal Business account for handling payments for paid events.

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Maximizing Your Virtual Event Success with Zoom

With these insights, you can select the type of Zoom event to meet your needs for large-scale conferences or small team meetings. Each option will facilitate efficient and engaging interactions to ensure your events run smoothly. By staying aligned with industry trends, Zoom ensures its features meet the evolving demands of remote collaboration.

This knowledge will help you plan and execute your events more effectively to create memorable experiences for every participant. Remember, a digital event's success depends on choosing the right tools and knowing how to use them effectively.