Hybrid events are a combination of a physical and an online event, often taking place live in front of a limited audience, with a wider audience attending online.
An important element that distinguishes a hybrid event from a webinar or livestream is interaction. Participants at home are also in contact with other participants or speakers. The virtual experience is modelled on the experience of the live audience, meaning that if those watching onsite receive lunch, then the same lunch will also be delivered to the participants sitting at home.
Why now?
The world has changed. As time goes by, live events will scale up again and the question is: how do you approach this? You can, of course, invite colleagues, business partners and/or customers on location, but adding an online aspect offers more possibilities.
It might be the case that some guests continue to feel nervous about attending in-person events for some time, or you may have a list of international guests who are looking to make more sustainable choices when it comes to travel.
Our plan for hybrid events:
Digital preliminary process
The digital age offers plenty of opportunities to add a more unique twist to your event. Take your guests to multiple locations online and let them participate in the decision-making process; walk through the centre of Barcelona from behind your laptop, let your guests choose from various local activities or organise an online cooking workshop with a chef on site to “taste”…
Hybrid & onsite events
It is challenging to make plans right now, as much of the future still feels so uncertain, and many organisations are reluctant to dedicate resources to planning an event that could be cancelled.
Working with a specialist events agency will provide you not only with a sounding board, but also with a partner who can condense your wishes into a clear and customised proposal, including transparent booking conditions, so that you are not faced with surprises.
‘Just in case’ alternatives
We’ve all seen just how quickly new travel restrictions and safety measures can be enforced and many of us have also seen how quickly this can derail planned events and meetings.
This can be incredibly frustrating for event managers who have kept up-to-date with health and safety regulations and completed all mandatory documentation to ensure an event will be compliant. However, accounting for a hybrid eventuality throughout the planning process means that, if the worst happens, your event can still go ahead in some form.
Benefits of hosting a hybrid event:
- Preserving company culture – Engagement and social interaction between employers and employees is important, especially now that we are all working from home.
- A hybrid event offers flexibility – If unforeseen circumstances occur, an hybrid event can easily be converted to a fully digital event.
- Attendee engagement – Adding a digital element to a live event opens up more engagement opportunities, such as polls and Q&As. Participants onsite can network with each other and participants at home too.
Skip to content
