In an interview with Dezeen, that was filmed just before Offsite's virtual debut, Sight Unseen co-founders Jill Singer and Monica Khemsurov said that in the future, they would consider holding a physical event alongside a virtual one. “Now we have this framework for an online show it would behoove us not to use it again,” said Singer.

Reflecting on the future of design fairs, Khemsurov added: “In the end you can’t fully substitute for seeing an object in person. A physical show will always have a place in our hearts. It's a social gathering – it's a community. Milan [Furniture Fair] is not just about seeing objects, you go there and meet people, you see your friends and take meetings. There are all of these things that happen around the fair that give it value beyond just seeing the work."

Going forward it seems likely that a hybrid event model that incorporates in-person and virtual elements for attendees will endure, even after restrictions have been lifted. In an editorial on its website, exhibition and event company Rapier Group predicted that by 2050, hybrid events will be the norm.

“While collaborative and networking sessions may be hosted in a physical environment, these may not be the focal point of the event,” it reads. “Virtual sessions that allow the event to transcend geographical boundaries and time will make for a more inclusive experience, with technology allowing a degree of connectivity we can still only begin to imagine. Furthermore, AR will blend the distinction between ‘physical’ and ‘virtual’, throwing the overall event narrative into center stage as an experience that can be felt in multiple ways.”