How quaint! The web, the internet, isn't actually "real". Our experiences aren't authentic. Our education, and the knowledge we gain there, isn't quite bona fide. Baloney!
Our extensive and pervasive participation in all things internet defines the web as an authentic and usual environment. In other words, there can be no more "virtual events".
For a while now I've been advising media sales people to stop selling me their event using the term, "virtual". Everything about the event is a typical, ordinary, authentic experience. Stop telling me it is "virtual". In my opinion, given the total acceptance of the practice, the term "virtual" unnecessarily cheapens the event and potentially reduces its value.
Some say that the term "virtual" merely indicates that the event occurs online and not at a brick & mortar location (as in a "virtual trade show"). Online experiences have, for so long now, been a normal part of our lives that there is no need to differentiate the status of the event. Just give us the URL, date, and time and we're there.
I'd love to hear your comments.