How Brella Is Shaping Virtual 2.0 Events

How Brella Is Shaping Virtual 2.0 Events

From Event Experience by Bizzabo

April 6, 2026 · 41 min · Season 6 · Episode 21

About this episode

Mark Mallchok discusses the evolution of events into the 'Virtual 2.0' era, emphasizing engagement and production quality.

In this episode of Event Experience by Bizzabo, host Rachel Moore sits down with Mark Mallchok, event experience strategist and co-founder of Brella. With over 30 years in the industry, Mark shares how events have evolved from traditional in-person formats to what he calls the "Virtual 2.0" era, where engagement, production quality, and accessibility take center stage. He challenges common assumptions, including the belief that in-person events are always more effective and that virtual events inevitably lead to Zoom fatigue. Instead, Mark explains how virtual experiences have expanded access, enabling participation across geographies and budgets in ways that weren't previously possible. The conversation explores how event planners can create more compelling digital experiences by prioritizing audience engagement over content volume. Mark encourages planners to think like broadcasters, focusing on storytelling, pacing, and production value, while also drawing inspiration from creators outside the events industry. He also addresses the role of AI in event production, noting that while technology can enhance execution, human connection and storytelling remain at the core of…

People in this episode

Guest: Mark Mallchok

Topics covered

  • virtual events
  • event planning
  • audience engagement
  • AI in events
  • storytelling

Keywords

  • event experience
  • Brella
  • Zoom fatigue
  • digital experiences
  • production value

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Brella

Books & works: Event Experience by Bizzabo

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