Going hybrid: Successful events will be both in-person and virtual.
In the past few years, businesses have been forced to embrace remote work and virtual meetings to get things done. At first, many believed that business would “return to normal” after the pandemic ended.
Instead, many aspects of virtual meetings have been incorporated into the planning and execution of virtual events, and it has turned out to be beneficial.
Live, in-person events still have their benefits, however, so eliminating them altogether isn't a good option. Enter hybrid events, which are becoming a mainstay for many companies.
The future of events is hybrid, and small and midsize businesses (SMBs) should take note.
What does a hybrid event look like?
Marketers agree that in the space of a few years, most major events will be hybrid and combine elements of both live (in-person) and virtual events.
Perhaps the best example of this is a simultaneous event, which allows live and virtual audiences to attend an event at the same time while interacting with each other.
Another popular type of hybrid event is a live studio audience option. These gatherings are modeled after late-night talk shows where people interact in-person while the live event is simultaneously transmitted (via live streaming) to a larger audience by event organizers.
What are the benefits of hybrid events?
Hybrid events let you keep the best of both a virtual event and in-person gathering. The virtual aspect of such events offers a great deal of flexibility in terms of scheduling, as well as the following advantages:
Eco-friendly: Some employees and clients can avoid travel that leaves a large carbon footprint.
Easy analytics: Since your event is partially hosted on a digital platform, analytics such as attendance records, audience engagement, and other metrics are simplified.
Reduced costs: Attendees save on travel expenses while your company saves money on facility rentals.
Hybrid events also include the unbeatable advantages of in-person events. For instance, hybrid events are:
Connection-friendly: Often, it is easier to meet and connect with new clients in person since doing so requires more intimacy than a virtual connection can provide.
Market insights: You can learn much about your industry by holding casual conversations with a diverse group. In-person events foster these dialogues.
Brand building: An in-person booth or meeting may well have more impact than a virtual experience when it comes to brand building.
When you arrange a hybrid event, you are offering participants the best aspects of both types of events, and they can choose the experience they want.
How hybrid events work for small businesses
Your small business can reap some excellent benefits by going hybrid. Cost, for instance, can be a restricting factor for many SMB events.
When you go hybrid, you can keep your usual small in-person experience but still reach a large virtual audience with presentations about your products and/or services. If your status as a small business means a small event budget, the rise of hybrid events can keep costs under control while exponentially increasing your reach.
Since experts agree that the popularity of hybrid events will continue to grow in the coming years, you need to learn how to incorporate them into your small business. You can plan most of your events online by building a high-performance hybrid event platform that offers scalability, excellent analytics, and easy engagement options.
Software solutions for hybrid events
The right tool can help ensure a successful hybrid event by providing a reliable, participant-friendly experience for all event attendees. Explore our catalog of hybrid event software solutions to find the best tool for your needs.
Want more help with your events? Check out these Capterra resources: