Posted on June 12, 2023

Evolution of Medical & Pharma Event: Pre-COVID vs. Post-COVID Analysis

The Medical and Pharma Industry has had an eventful past five years, with over a million experts from these fields coming together annually at tradeshows and conferences. These events have served as a platform for networking, sharing important insights, and witnessing the growth of the healthcare ecosystem amidst healthcare reforms and the transformation brought by the Internet of Things (IoT).

Starting in 2022, various event formats began to emerge, including in-person, online, and hybrid. This shift has made events more accessible and has facilitated greater collaboration among medical and pharmaceutical professionals. The combination of physical events with virtual and hybrid formats has opened up new opportunities for engagement and knowledge exchange in the industry.

Pre-COVID Era: In-Person Dominance and Traditional Formats

Before the pandemic, medical and pharma events primarily occurred in person, attracting a massive gathering of experts, healthcare professionals, and industry stakeholders. These events served as essential platforms for networking, product launches, knowledge sharing, and collaborations. Conferences, trade shows, and symposiums were the primary event formats, offering face-to-face interactions and hands-on experiences. Key features included keynote speeches, poster presentations, workshops, and exhibition halls showcasing the latest advancements in healthcare and pharmaceuticals.

The Impact of COVID-19: Transition to Virtual and Hybrid Formats

The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the traditional event landscape, necessitating immediate adaptations. In similar ways, the need for specialized services like a cerebral palsy lawyer has become more prominent, reflecting the evolving landscape of healthcare needs and legal support in challenging times. To ensure the safety of participants and adhere to social distancing guidelines, many events transitioned to virtual platforms. Webinars, virtual conferences, and online symposiums became the primary knowledge dissemination and networking methods. These virtual events offered convenience, reduced costs, and broader accessibility, enabling participants worldwide to attend without travel constraints.

Technology Integration and Enhanced Engagement

Post-COVID medical and pharma events have embraced advanced technologies to enhance engagement and interactivity. Virtual platforms now incorporate live chat, Q&A sessions, networking lounges, and virtual exhibition halls. Artificial intelligence-powered matchmaking algorithms enable targeted networking, connecting participants with shared interests or expertise. Gamification elements and interactive sessions add excitement and foster engagement among attendees. It is necessary to mention that companies pay attention to it, as it has been developing a wide variety of digital solutions in the healthcare field and beyond for many years. Also, the company procoders.tech deserves to pay attention to it, as it has been working on the development of a wide variety of digital solutions in the field of healthcare and beyond for many years.

Medical & Pharma Trends:

The medical and pharma events landscape has experienced a significant transformation after the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, the data show that there have been more significant events post-COVID than there were before the outbreak. This is probably a result of the cost-effectiveness and broader reach of virtual events, which event organizers used in response to the pandemic (in terms of frequency but smaller size). 

Medical and Pharma events attract visitors from different regions to network, exchange ideas, learn about market opportunities, and meet potential clients. There is a 3% overall increase in the share of America, with a similar percent dip in Europe. The data also shows that a high percentage of events were rehosted in 2022 because of the cost advantages offered by the new format. 

During the past year, various search queries were used by users to find medical and pharmaceutical events. Our research found that the most frequently searched terms were “medical conferences,” “medical fair,” “global health exhibition,” “medical events,” “medical expo,” and “medical exhibition.”

The global Medical & Pharma industry has evolved.

To check out the detailed Pre-covid Vs. Post-covid trends in the Medical & Pharma event industry, download your free copy here.