Opinion Nothing went according to plan in 2020. Trade shows, conferences, concerts, and all other business- and consumer-driven in-person events were either converted into online experiences or canceled altogether. This year, we’re left questioning where virtual events will go from here.

Several companies have committed to hosting immersive digital experiences in 2021 — from the Consumer Technology Association’s CES to Adobe Summit to SXSW. Typically, these in-person...