The norm of hosting hybrid events is close to becoming popular. The hybrid event is an addition to entirely virtual events as the world opens back up to gatherings.
We know that virtual events have taken the cake in 2020 and 2021. With this in mind, they are seemingly here to stay and not going away anytime soon. Additionally, there has been a lot of talk about the hybrid event stage when it comes to conferences, webinars, and any other event that has been taken to fully-online hosting within the past year and a half.
In having the proper strategies in place to successfully host a virtual event, you have ample preparedness for this upcoming “hybrid event phase” that is coming our way. This hybrid phase may not be put in place immediately, so if you are not yet prepared, you still have some time.
Let’s face it. You have already lost an entire year of event planning and thought-leadership opportunities, so what are you waiting for? Get ready for the hybrid, half virtual, half in-person webinars, conferences, and educational series. We are here to help.
What Is a Hybrid Event?
A hybrid event is, by definition, a mix of both live and virtual event elements throughout an event. This can be a webinar series, conference, a roundtable, or any other event with attendees involved both in-person and online.
The transition from online to hybrid is in sight. However, with decreased budgets, safety protocols, and the realization of the success of virtual events, it could be another six months to a year until fully in-person events are happening again. More companies are getting creative and turning events into virtual experiences, while beginning to slowly plan to sprinkle in in-person features.
Now is the time to prepare for the in-between phase of having a solid plan for virtual AND live, face-to-face events.
Hybrid Needs Virtual
The truth is, no matter what type of event you are hosting, you have to have the same level of detail and engagement.
This being said, hybrid does not mean propping up a camera in the back corner of the room and recording a live and in-person event while attempting to stream it online.
Hybrid events need experiences. This includes a place for attendees to network and interact. Whether they are joining from a computer screen or attending in person, the overall experience is important.
Next Steps To Hybrid Events
To learn more about virtual and hybrid events, check out our event page to learn more about what we offer when it comes to planning, hosting, and promoting events.
In the meantime, we can share with you a virtual event we recently hosted with a client of ours. Dobil’s successful, one-time, day-long conference turned into a year-long webinar series. Attendees from a virtual conference are automatically in the loop when it comes to future virtual events. When hosting an event on the virtual event platform that Steady State Media offers, the access per event “seat” lasts for one full year.
In the meantime, we would like to share a little secret with you. One-off webinars are dead. Don’t believe us? Learn why Zoom webinars that aren’t within a series are dead in our recent blog article.
For in-depth ideas for planning a hybrid event of your own that combines the best of in-person as well as virtual experiences, check out the eighteen virtual event ideas list, brought to you by Bizzabo.
Have you thought about your future conference and webinar strategy? Contact Steady State Media for more information on how to prepare, plan, and host upcoming hybrid and virtual events.
