10 Reasons Hybrid Events are the Future
First things first…
What are Hybrid Events?
Hybrid events in a nutshell:
Hybrid events are a combination of live and virtual events. Take your live event and harness all the good bits of virtual events by beaming your event out to an online audience as well as an in-person audience.
It’s a win-win for both you and your attendees!
When you add a virtual element to your in-person event, your audience can participate and engage with your event, no matter where they are.
Hybrid events smoosh together all of the exciting, innovative, environmentally-friendly bits of online events while keeping the value of in-person events.
Over the past two years, I’ve had a front-row seat to see the emerging trends in online events and I’m excited to bring this to you, to help you design the best hybrid event possible.
Strap in, we’re going hybrid. 10 reasons why hybrid events are the future.
P.s. I’m a live event illustrator, and I offer online live event illustration to boost engagement and learning at your hybrid events. Learn more about online live event illustration here,
or scroll down to keep reading!
Contents:
TIME-SAVING
FLEXIBLE
COMFY
ACCESSIBLE
HEALTHY
MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS
INTROVERT-FRIENDLY
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
REDUCED EVENT COSTS
SPACE TO THINK & HAVE BETTER IDEAS
1.TIME-SAVING
Time is precious. It’s a finite resource. And streaming your in-person event virtually means that the time saved is ENORMOUS.
More time to think and contribute to a valuable online event.
No travel, no hotel stays, no commute. More time for family + sleep. Yes please.
2.FLEXIBLE hybrid goodness
The flexibility of a hybrid event means that your attendees who live in rural locations can attend easily. Parents don’t have to worry about childcare. Carers can stay with their loved ones while attending.
Also, if you’re reaching a global audience, the joy of hybrid events is cross-country collaboration. We’ve never been so well connected. Harness that powerrrr!
3. the COMFORT-factor
I don’t know if there’s anything much nicer than tuning into an online event in your slippers, with a cup of your favourite thing, made exactly how you like it. We learn better, we connect more, and we have better ideas when we’re comfortable. Streaming to an online audience = streaming to a COMFORTABLE audience.
Bonus points if you send your audience a goody bag of snacks. (Best thing ever.)
4. ACCESSIBility of hybrid events
Not all disabilities are visible. And not all events are accessible. Even if you’ve thought of everything for the in-person event, streaming online will make it even better. Virtual events include SO many more people. You can also add live captions, translation, sign language, and visuals via live illustration or brilliant interesting PowerPoint slides. Over 60% of us are visual learners.
Not having to face public transport is a bonus for everyone.
5. HEALTHY
This one hopefully speaks for itself. You might be double-vaccinated, and feeling confident about networking in a room full of people. But please spare a thought for those who are immunocompromised or protecting loved ones who are ill.
A virtual element avoids the risk of accidentally hosting a super-spreader event. Phew!
6. MENTAL HEALTH
Roughly 48% of those who’ve attended online events here reported feeling more connected to others afterwards.
-Eventbrite, “Online Events Are Here To Stay”
After the years we’ve just been through, launching everybody into a room together is tough for anybody, regardless of their mental health. Keep that online element and allow anybody to attend, no matter how they might be feeling.
7. INTROVERT FRIENDLY
Following on from mental health, some people just work better on their own!
Streaming your event online allows the introverts to absorb and observe, without the social-battery-draining business of small talk and networking. Saving that brain energy for innovation and ideas will pay dividends.
8. PLANET FRIENDLY
Less CO2 from flights/travel
Less food waste from that carb-heavy buffet
Less unnecessary hotel stays
There is no planet B. Hybrid events are a sustainable compromise. We do NOT need to be in the same room at the cost of the planet. Hybrid events are eco friendly events!
9. HYBRID EVENTS COST LESS
Saving the planet and saving money seem to go hand in hand (it’s good that, eh?)
If you’re not flying attendees in from all over the world, you can save that money or invest in some of the accessibility options we talked about in point #4. Woohoo!
10. SPACE TO THINK AND HAVE IDEAS
All of the above things = space. Ahhh. Drop your shoulders, unclench your jaw.
Take a deep breath and enjoy that space to think, innovate, have brand new shiny ideas, and ultimately make the world a better place. You can wear your stretchy trousers too. Nice.
Final thoughts on Hybrid Events
Keep the good bits, chuck the bad bits, (and boost engagement at the online bit with a live illustrator.)
Online events aren’t perfect, but when we combine them in this innovative hybrid model, they can blow old events out of the water with inclusive, immersive experiences that will have your attendees raving.
Here’s to your hybrid event success 🥂 Good luck!
Katie
p.s. Click below to learn more about how I can help you with your hybrid event
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