The Hybrid Event Question

The debate around whether a hybrid event (I define a hybrid event as “bringing together a face to face and remote audience for a shared participatory experience in real time”, will destroy the traditional face to face event still continues.  And it’s set to continue for some time I am sure.

Whilst this argument is valid to some degree I believe that it is getting in the way of expanding the event horizons from which everyone can benefit.

For a number of event planners the fear is that once their delegates know that they can attend either in person or remotely; then a number of their audience that used to attend the face to face event will decide to attend remotely. Any true event planner will assess their situation and decide from there whether a hybrid event will be the best way forward to achieve the ultimate objectives of the organisation.

Let’s look at an example of a two or three day event that requires people from across the globe to travel to one location. If we factor in a day either side of the event for people to travel and get ready for the event then we are effectively looking at a week away from their office.   Due to all sorts of reasons the number of people able to travel to this annual event has been decreasing over recent years and now the attendance is at 50% of what it was four years ago.

Depending on the objectives of the organisation there could be a call for a different way of making sure attendees are still involved and one of those ways would be to include elements of the event for remote participants.  

Now we are starting to look at using a hybrid event model.  Whilst this will have some challenges in terms of extra costs there are also extra benefits that can occur so the hybrid event shouldn’t be dismissed out of hand.  The question of whether to hybrid or not should be on the table at the outset of the planning process.

Hybrid events are not going to be relevant in all event cases; there will always be the traditional face to face behind closed doors event and there will continue to be remote meetings on line but the blend that can come from a hybrid event is one that is here to stay.

Have a look at it and if it’s not going to work for you that is ok as well but at least get involved in considering the question of developing a hybrid event experience and enjoy the blend that comes from mixing your audiences together.

Related Posts and Resources

Hybrid Event Centre 

Event Planning on Planet Planit 

Event Camp Europe on Planet Planit