Pharmafile Logo

In-person, hybrid, or digital? State of Pharma meetings and events in 2024

March 18, 2024 |  

We’re diving into the state of pharmaceutical meetings and events in 2024 and–once and for all–put the idea of in-person meetings being superior to rest.

- PMLiVE

Whether we’re talking offices, medical congresses, or advisory board meetings, the term “hybrid” is often used to signal the ideal state. The place where everyone’s needs are being met. The best of both worlds. In the era of digital transformation, it is predicted that 2024 will be the year that finally cements hybrid meetings as the norm (1), with all-virtual meetings continuing to be a popular option. Yet, some people are holding onto the idea of in-person meetings being superior. In this article, we’re diving into the state of pharmaceutical meetings and events in 2024 and–once and for all–put this idea to rest.

Why in-person-only should be a thing of the past

I’ve written and talked about the blindspots of in-person meetings for over 16 years now, but it’s only been in the past few years that the benefits of virtual engagements have gained mainstream acceptance. There are multiple reasons why in-person-only meetings should be laid to rest, including, but not limited to, the facts that they are:

  • Expensive
  • Associated with a large environmental footprint
  • Inflexible and not accommodating to everyone’s schedules, work or personal commitments, and preferences
  • Susceptible to last-minute no-shows due to flight delays or poor driving conditions

Specifically for advisory boards and other insight-gathering initiatives, the in-person-only approach comes with additional pain points such as:

  • Valuable time wasted on didactic data presentations
  • Very limited “air time” per participant
  • Uneven share of voice, with more extroverted or senior advisors tending to take up more speaking time
  • A tendency for answers to be “knee-jerk reactions” rather than thought-through responses and for people to simply ‘agree’ with others
  • Limited ability to dive deeper into interesting or controversial ideas
  • Suboptimal diversity of advisors due to potential geographic or language barriers

Most important, though, is the fact that participants don’t want only in-person meetings. Based on our survey of hundreds of healthcare provider advisors in 2022–2023, over three-quarters stated that they prefer virtual/hybrid meetings, with the convenience and flexibility of digital meetings rated as the top benefits…

[Read the full article here]

This content was provided by Impetus Digital

Company Details

 Latest Content from  Impetus Digital 

Advantages of Virtual Collaboration – Perks of Virtual Medical Education

From extended reach and enhanced interactivity to increased speed and flexibility, learn why virtual settings are becoming a staple in education and professional interaction. Embrace the future of collaboration today!

Unlock the Future of Medical Publications—Next Week!

Dive into a comprehensive exploration of the latest trends and cutting-edge strategies in medical publication planning. Our exclusive webinar series, starting next week, offers a deep dive into the intricacies...

Considerations for Planning Effective and Appealing Advisory Boards: Importance of Participant Preferences

Explore our peer-reviewed article, "Considerations for Planning Effective and Appealing Advisory Boards and Other Small-Group Meetings with Health Care Providers: Importance of Participant Preferences." Dive into key findings on HCPs'...

Reducing Carbon Footprint with Virtual Meetings – Perks of Virtual Medical Education

Discover how replacing in-person meetings with virtual alternatives can significantly cut carbon emissions and support environmental initiatives. Our latest video highlights the crucial role of virtual meetings in reducing the...

Bridging Gaps with Virtual Meetings – Perks of Virtual Medical Education

Learn how virtual meetings can be used to review new data and minimize lengthy presentations, making every in-person interaction more productive and focused. Dive into the synergistic benefits of combining...

Time and Cost Savings with Virtual Medical Education – Perks of Virtual Medical Education

Step into the future of medical education with significant time and cost savings! Virtual learning allows healthcare professionals to engage in training without travel, cutting costs and conserving valuable work...

Pharma-exclusive Webinar: Virtual Publication Planning, Co-Development, & Reviews

Dive into Impetus Digital's exclusive webinar on Medical Publications to learn from experts about the latest in publication planning, co-development, and reviews, and enhance your strategies in the virtual realm.

Boosting Memory with Frequent Virtual Touchpoints – Perks of Virtual Medical Education

Unlock the secrets to effective learning with our latest video! Learn how frequent, short virtual sessions utilize the Recency Effect to improve memorization and avoid fatigue, outperforming long, one-time meetings....

Enhancing Continuity with Online Meetings – Perks of Virtual Medical Education

Explore the power of online meetings for superior continuity in our latest video from the "Perks of Virtual Medical Education" series. Learn how shorter, more frequent virtual touchpoints allow for...

Equal Voice in Virtual Meetings – Perks of Virtual Medical Education

In virtual meetings, every participant has the chance to be heard. Our new video from the "Perks of Virtual Medical Education" series explores how features like chat and Q&A ensure...