Companies like Cisco Systems have been exploring the limits of virtual meetings and conference for both large internal meetings, such as Annual Meetings, and for conferences to which they invite clients (DeVault, 2011). Reports from participants and from Cisco are that these meetings are highly effective, cost effective, and fun -- particularly when virtual spaces such as Second Life can be employed as a venue (DeVault, 2011).

As more and more companies go the virtual conference route, spending information becomes more available. For example, Stratus Technologies, which make high-end servers, held a virtual summit to which they wanted to attract high numbers of international attendees and C-Suite executives. The virtual conference cost considerably less than the traditional conference that Stratus Technologies held in the past. The bill for the virtual conference was $100,000 -- approximately one-fifth as much as the event would have cost in a traditional venue. The company...
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