How to Hybrid

What exactly is a Hybrid Event?

Hybrid events are events that have both virtual and physical, in-person components. A business conference that hosts an in-person gathering in Minneapolis, MN and live-streams its keynotes and sessions to a national or worldwide virtual audience would be considered hybrid.

While they’re nothing new, hybrid events have become top-of-mind as COVID-19 has changed the way the world conducts business and travels. Not only do hybrid events continue close the gap between the experiences that physical and virtual audiences have, but technology has allowed planners to create experiences (beyond a live stream) that fully engages both virtual and in-person audiences through chat, streaming, and networking.

Why Hybrid?

Limiting your event to a single format also limits your audience reach. With hybrid, you can capitalize on the strengths of in-person and virtual best by offering both. As we all know, a one-size doesn’t necessarily fit all. Expanding your audience reach is a win-win for you and your attendees. No matter how big or popular your event is, there is an entire audience of potential attendees who simply do not care to go to events, worry about picking something up traveling, or attendees who don’t think it’s worth the amount of time and effort to invest a full day (or days).

Expanding your audience reach also yields a higher return-on-investment (ROI) for your sponsors. If you’ve got hundreds of thousands of people attending an event virtually or in-person, sponsors are willing to invest a lot more money because they’re getting in front of more faces. Extending your event to a much larger audience means you’re able to boast more impressive sponsorship packages, or even advertise your virtual event with innovative advertising formats (like an audio advertisement as you’d hear on a podcast).
Lastly, it's much easier to track event engagement through virtual conferences because every move an attendee makes is automatically archived. This information can then be used to improve event details in the future.

When … Does it Make Sense and for what Types of Events?

Hybrid events are the perfect solution for programs that can effectively be held both onsite and virtually. Below are some examples of perfect hybrid event programs:
1. Conferences
2. Trade shows
3. Training Seminars
4. Sales kick-offs
5. The unconference like a music festival

How Do I Execute a Hybrid Event?

Aside from the video, audio, and lighting that you will need at your venue, you will require a web conferencing or online meeting tool platform or video conference company.

Let meetingpages assist in finding the perfect provider to make your event shine! Turn to our web conferencing or online meeting tool platform and video conference company experts today!

Casey Romano, Publisher | meetingpages | casey@meetingpages.com

Creator of digital platform meetingpages complete event planning directory and resource delivering leads and national, regional and local exposure for event venues, suppliers and destinations in MN, WI, IA & CO markets. In her free time, this 19 year industry veteran enjoys dance, group fitness, and training her young golden retriever dog in competition obedience and confirmation.