This study investigates the discrepancy between attendees’ perceived and actual experiences of virtual reality (VR) conferences, focusing on gender differences and barriers to future participation. Using a mixed-methods approach, 23 participants attended a simulated VR conference. The study evaluated four factors: ease of use, usability, interactivity, and comfortableness of head-mounted displays (HMDs). Results revealed that males consistently rated the VR experience more positively than females, particularly in terms of ease of use and comfort. While participants showed a positive attitude towards VR conferences, concerns about eye strain and limited social interaction emerged as significant barriers to adoption. The study highlights the potential of VR conferences as a hybrid solution for business events but emphasizes the need for improved hardware comfort and enhanced social interaction features, especially considering the observed gender differences in perceptions and experiences, to increase adoption and satisfaction among attendees.