Going from Virtual to Hybrid: How to Level Up Your Events to Next-Gen Experiences

With hybrid offering amazing benefits when it comes to hosting events, let’s look at how you can level up your events to provide next-gen hybrid experiences to professionals.

What is a hybrid event?

There’s a reason why hybrid events are considered the next generation of event experiences – they incorporate the benefits of both virtual and in-person, providing the best of both worlds for event-goers.

Hybrid events vary depending on the type of event that is organized; however, their biggest benefit is allowing event-goers to choose whether to go to an event in person or participate online.

Hybrid events often live broadcast the event, allowing attendees to view it virtually in real-time or watch it offline once the event has ended.

Many professionals have very busy calendars. In the past, if they couldn’t attend an event, they simply couldn’t go, whereas now, there are choices between going in person and seeing it virtually at a time that better suits them.

Why hybrid is likely to be the future

The pandemic has made everyone more proficient with technology in a bid to adapt. As a result, over 73% of event organizers have become more adept at using online event tech, making hybrid and virtual events much more common.

What’s more, there are massive environmental positives to reducing events from 100% in-person to hybrid. Think about the amount of leaflets, food, and electricity usage that would be greatly reduced. Recent studies have found that carbon footprint and energy use would be reduced by two-thirds when switching from 100% in-person to hybrid events.

What are the benefits of hybrid events?

Hybrid events offer increased sponsorship opportunities, as well as reduced environmental strain and increased brand reach.

Where reach is concerned, virtual events can’t be beaten. The biggest limitation of in-person events is geographical location Hybrid events offer the reach of virtual and the in-person energy of on-site experiences.

Due to the limited reach of in-person events, sponsors can only connect with those that attend the event in person. This reach is drastically increased with hybrid events given the addition of a virtual component.

Hybrid events also offer more ticket type opportunities, and therefore a larger pool of potential revenue from ticket sales.

How you can provide great next-generation event experiences

More businesses are utilizing hybrid events due to the advantages that immersive live and virtual next-generation events bring. However, you need to do it right. Here are four tips to remember so you can level up your events to create a truly great next-generation experience:

Tip #1: Focus on engagement

The first step is to ensure your event is as engaging as possible. Some hybrid events can sway one way or another when it comes to engaging the audience, and sometimes it can lead to a place where no one in the audience is engaged.

Feature high-quality content, and consider interactive features like question and answer sessions, live polls, interactive events with smaller groups, and more activities that will keep the audience enjoying the event.

Some users can find long events dull and drawn out, so split the event into bite-size chunks. Be thoughtful about your agenda to ensure attendees’ attention remains on the event content.

Tip #2: Consider virtual and in-person audiences

Make sure you’re thinking of both in-person event-goers and virtual ones. The content you provide to hybrid event-goers may not work in the same way as those who go in person. Because of this, there are two things that you must do:

• Check your streaming technology
• Provide a considered experience for each group

If you create an event that isn’t valuable, you’ll risk losing attendees next time.

Tip #3: Consider attendee time differences

When making your hybrid event successful, think about the time zones the event will be live in. Say, for example, you’re hosting an event for both British and American audiences in real-time. You need to decide when to host it so you can reach the most event-goers possible without creating a schedule that could be inconvenient for attendees in one location.

Tip #4: Gather feedback

Information collected about the event can be crucial in determining its success. If some aspects didn’t go according to plan, the feedback given can be reviewed to provide guidance on necessary changes for next time.