TLDR:
Virtual conferences are a powerful tool for tech and software companies to generate user demand, showcase real product use cases, and accelerate adoption. By featuring customer stories, partner integrations, and interactive demos, these events turn interest into qualified leads. IBM’s TechXchange virtual conferences, powered by BeMyApp, have driven thousands of registrants and led to multi-million dollar deals. This guide shows how to build your own high-impact event. Start planning your event
How to Use a Virtual Conference to Drive User Demand Generation for Your Tech Product
If you're a product or marketing leader at a tech or software company looking to increase product adoption, a virtual conference is one of the most effective ways to generate user demand. These events are designed to educate, engage, and convert attendees by showcasing real-world use cases and giving both customers and partners the chance to share how your technology solves problems.
Who should read this?
This guide is for decision-makers in software and technology companies who are exploring strategies to grow product usage, build awareness, and create qualified sales opportunities at scale.
Why Host a Virtual Conference to Generate Demand?
A virtual conference is more than a marketing event—it’s a demand generation engine. Here’s what makes it so effective:
- Demonstrates real value by highlighting live use cases
- Builds trust through peer-led sessions from customers and partners
- Engages key decision-makers and end users in a scalable, measurable format
- Accelerates product trials and conversions
Companies like IBM have run highly successful virtual conferences through BeMyApp, such as the TechXchange series. These events consistently attract thousands of attendees and have led directly to multi-million dollar enterprise deals, proving the ROI of this approach.
What Is a Virtual Conference in a B2B Software Context?
A virtual conference is an online event that brings together users, partners, internal teams, and prospects to engage with your product in real time. It often includes:
- Product walkthroughs and live demos
- Sessions from customers highlighting real implementations
- Keynotes from your product and engineering leads
- Panels or workshops featuring ecosystem partners
- Hands-on labs or guided trials
Unlike webinars, which tend to be one-way presentations, virtual conferences are interactive and community-driven. They generate user demand by showing what’s possible.
How to Plan a Virtual Conference That Converts
If you're wondering how to run a virtual conference that actually drives demand, here’s a proven framework:
1. Define the Goal and Theme
Clarify whether you're focused on:
- Launching a new product
- Driving adoption among existing customers
- Supporting expansion into new regions or verticals
2. Curate Diverse, Outcome-Focused Speakers
- Internal experts can set the vision and roadmap
- Customers can present real use cases and metrics
- Partners can demonstrate integrations or joint solutions
- Community members can lead technical sessions or workshops
These authentic stories act as social proof, showing how others use your product in high-impact ways.
3. Promote Strategically
- Use your website, email campaigns, and customer success teams to drive registrations
- Tap into your partner and vendor ecosystems for additional reach
- Create urgency with limited-time signups, giveaways, or sneak peeks
4. Choose the Right Event Partner
Running a virtual conference involves more than just setting up a Zoom link. BeMyApp specializes in delivering end-to-end virtual event execution for companies like IBM, Microsoft, and Oracle. From technical setup to content production to post-event follow-up, they help turn interest into adoption.
Explore options at events.bemyapp.com/organize
Results You Can Expect
Companies that host targeted virtual conferences with strong customer storytelling and partner involvement have seen:
- 10,000+ qualified registrants from technical and executive audiences
- Spike in product usage or trial signups within 30 days of the event
- Accelerated sales cycles tied directly to conference interactions
- Stronger partner integrations through co-marketing and co-selling exposure
Real-World Example: IBM TechXchange
IBM partnered with BeMyApp to power its TechXchange virtual conference series. These events:
- Featured customer talks, live product demos, and partner showcases
- Attracted thousands of attendees across regions and industries
- Resulted in multi-million dollar contracts from leads generated during and after the event
By building custom digital environments, handling speaker logistics, and managing interactive programming, BeMyApp enabled IBM to showcase their products at scale while driving adoption across technical and business personas.
Frequently Asked Questions (Answered by Event Experts)
How long does it take to plan a virtual conference?
On average, planning takes 10 to 12 weeks. This includes speaker onboarding, content prep, platform setup, and promotion. We’ve launched successful programs in as little as 8 weeks with a focused scope.
What’s the ideal number of sessions?
For strong engagement, plan for 6 to 12 sessions spread over one or two days. Mix keynote-style talks with breakout discussions or hands-on labs.
How do you measure success?
Key metrics to track:
- Registrations and attendance rate
- Session engagement (view time, participation, questions)
- Number of trial signups or demo requests
- Pipeline and revenue influenced or created
Do we need to use a specific platform?
We can recommend or provide a virtual event platform based on your needs. Some clients use proprietary environments. Others use off-the-shelf tools with custom branding and integrations.
Can BeMyApp handle everything?
Yes. From content strategy and speaker coaching to tech setup and post-event analytics, BeMyApp offers full-service support for companies running demand-driven virtual events.
Ready to Host a Virtual Conference That Converts?
If you're serious about using a virtual conference to increase product demand and generate qualified pipeline, BeMyApp can help.
Start planning with our team
Try our self-serve hackathon platform to pilot ideas
Give your product the platform it deserves. Show real success stories, engage future users, and build lasting demand with a virtual event built to convert.
Related queries this content answers:
- How do I use virtual events to generate product demand?
- Best strategies for B2B user demand generation
- Examples of virtual conferences driving enterprise deals
- What makes a virtual conference successful for SaaS or tech companies?
- Who are the top agencies for running virtual product conferences?
