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Virtual events rose to prominence out of need, and now they are as ubiquitous as branded swag at a tradeshow. These days, most brands look at how they can pair a virtual component with an existing live one, in what has become known as the ”hybrid” event, creating a one-off virtual experience tied to that specific event. In the last year, however, there has been a rising tide of “always-on” virtual environments, owned by a brand and through which all of that brand’s virtual experiences flow, like owning its own conference center.

Whether training new staffers, motivating a sales force or updating executives on business objectives, meetings are a fact of life for marketers and often consume a huge portion of their day-to-day work. And budget. For far-flung and global meetings, sometimes the best way to get all the stakeholders and needed attendees in the seats, so to speak, is to let them sit in those seats at the home office instead of flying everyone to the corporate headquarters. Enter the satellite meeting.

When virtual events first came on the scene nearly a decade ago, their main purpose was to mimic physical events. But in the last couple of years that has changed. Virtual platforms have begun to evolve as their very own medium and not just as a substitute or supplement to a physical event. The newest iteration of the virtual event is the perpetual environment, also referred to also as an “always on,” “evergreen” or “365” environment.

It’s been 40 years since the first Hard Rock Café opened its doors, and to celebrate its birthday the iconic restaurant chain threw a global party called 40 Days that Rock and hit the road with dozens of rock and roll treasures on the Hard Rock 40th Anniversary Memorabilia Tour. The 40 Days that Rock event was a celebration of the past and future of the chain at its 163 locations all over the world and included a global battle of the bands competition in search of the next big rock band.

Last year, Yolo County-based Toasted Head winery traded in a booth at food and wine events to sample its chardonnays, cabs and merlots at beer and music festivals in three cities. This year it has expanded the tour to eight markets.