Since last year, 2020, the event industry has experienced a complete switch in trends, which made virtual events gain popularity. The hybrid virtual event platform has been around for quite some time now; however, its true potential was realized after its implementation in the market.
In lieu of public gatherings, traditional events lost their importance, nonetheless, we cannot ignore the face-to-face interaction that is offered to its audience. To bring back this feeling many organizers encountered a mix of both components which are named hybrid events which took the event industry by storm.
Now that the cases of COVID-19 are gradually reducing, the government has given some relief to organizing small events with a limited number of attendees. Therefore, this makes hybrid event platforms the best suitable option for event organizers in order to slowly return back to normal while also leveraging the tech-savvy services offered by a virtual event platform.
Looking at the perspective of event organizers and marketers, hybrid events are the next big thing that will tremendously shape the image of the event industry. Since they offer much exponential reach by broadcasting the content over the internet as well as to the physical location. The platform has also simultaneously kept both sides of the audience engaged and uplifted their interactivity level.
KEY ELEMENTS OF HYBRID EVENTS
Hybrid events let you manage and control the virtual as well as physical prospects seamlessly. In layman’s language, it means you need to carefully plan and execute your event strategies in order to attain maximum reach and engagement.
As we all know, virtual events have totally relied upon technology, and physical meetings are conducted over an offline venue/location, it is important to balance both the components to create a successful event brilliantly. With every advancement in technology, we observe an advancement in the virtual platform as well, leverage these advancements by incorporating the latest technology in your events to ensure a higher level of interactivity, efficiency, and effectiveness. All these factors when cultivated together provide a higher probability of attendee’s engagements and thus success.
When hosting a hybrid event, the event planner/organizers can follow a set of elements to make their event more appealing, functional, interactive, and engaging. The elements of the hybrid event cannot be focused on any one segment of the audience as you will entertain 2 sets of audiences with 2 different approaches towards the event. While there are some components in the event which are irrespective of both we still need to ensure top-notch execution in order to increase the probability of success of the event.
Venue
Starting off with an obvious element for the physical component of the event- venue. Though organizers may have lost the grip in this field due to the constant hosting of virtual events since last year, it is significant to understand the importance of a venue. Selecting the right venue which complements your event and can accommodate your attendees without breaking the social distancing norms is crucial, as social distancing is becoming the new normal, probably even after the COVID-19 pandemic! The Onsite experience is going to be influenced by the venue at the very first sight, thus keeping it safe, simple, and eye-catching.
Marketing
Since your event is going to be attended by a virtual and physical audience it is essential to understand what both the components expect from the event. Your physical audience expects a rich and premium face-to-faced experience with a detailed and immersive experience. While your virtual audience expects high-tech technology for interactivity and an immersive virtual environment.
Keeping both these components in mind, make an educated guess in terms of invitation, organization, and budget for the event. It may be a little tricky to identify the type of audience for your event, however, after some attempts you may attain a good grip in the same and make your event cost-effective, interactive, and engaging. Hire a marketing team to handle any sales that may occur in the event while simultaneously attempting to find new ways to attract the targeted audience.
Content
Undoubtedly the main element of any event. What you will present in your event would be a direct reflection of what you represent and what your event represents. Showcasing your content by broadcasting it throughout the world while also making sure that the same content can work for your physical audience is crucial in a hybrid event. Produce relevant content with which your attendees can relate to, you’re working call attendees may get disengaged if the relevancy is not met from their perspective. Understanding your virtual and in-person audience and cultivating content tailor-made for them is important for hybrid events to be successful.
Data and Analytics
What makes your event relevant and continues is a consecutive understanding of how your attendees feel about your event. Keeping track of valuable data and leveraging the same to engage your attendees in your future events is a proven way to improve your events and make them effective. Understand what your attendees liked and disliked in your event and gather that information to gain a better understanding of your attendees’ perspective and implement the necessary changes in your future events. The virtual component of your event is significantly effective in data gathering and handling, thus leveraging this feature for your virtual audience, as for your in-person audience you may incorporate some tracking technology or even ask for feedback forms!
OVER TO YOU
The year 2020 has been an eventful year for the event industry, a shift of trend was experienced from traditional in-person events to virtual events. Ever since the shift to virtual events, the organizers started realizing its true potential and started leveraging technology to achieve the maximum level of interactivity and engagement. However traditional events and their face-to-face interaction hold their own significance and since then hybrid events have stepped into the picture and taken the event industry by storm. Hybrid events are a mixture of both components, virtual and in-person.
The above-mentioned article covers 5 main key elements which you need to keep in mind when hosting your next hybrid events in order to make them more engaging and this eventually making your event a success, the elements range from venue to data analytics all of which is significant for hybrid events since you will be entertaining 2 sets of audience. Ensuring a high level of interactivity and providing an immersive environment for both your audience is bound to increase the success rate of your hybrid event.