If there has been any positive to come out of the pandemic, it’s the rapid adoption of digital technologies to support remote interactions on a wider scale. Previously, hosting a hybrid event where guests were divided into in-person and digital attendees would have been considered too complicated. Now, however, it is becoming a common method of bringing people together and hosting more productive business events. Here are a few tips that will help you host the perfect hybrid event for your business.
Find a Platform for Digital Attendees
How do you want your digital attendees to engage with the event? What are your key objectives, and what should the guest experience look like from a remote perspective? Although you cannot control what device each attendee uses to access the event, you can ensure high quality at your end. This means investing in good audio-visual technology and a strong connection to the internet. Find a virtual event platform that caters to your needs by testing them out in advance and reading user reviews.
Find a Venue for In-Person Attendees
Just as you need to identify the right platform for digital attendees, you must also secure a venue for in-person guests. Look for somewhere that enhances the objectives of the event, whether those are networking, educating, launching a product, or sharing ideas. Get creative with the venue to attract more people. For example, a historic banquet hall for business events could be more interesting and engaging than a dull conference room in an office building. Make it a priority to keep your guests comfortable and safe for the duration of the event. Consider providing catering if the event will last more than one hour.
Make It Engaging for Everyone
The risk when running a hybrid event is that one group becomes bored due to neglect. For example, digital attendees may feel ignored if the hosts only talk to in-person guests. Structure your event so that every attendee feels acknowledged and appreciated, no matter how they access the event.
Protect Against Technological Disruptions
Test all your equipment prior to the event so that any possible hiccups are identified in advance. This is especially important with remote attendees since a poor internet connection or unreliable devices can cut them off from the whole experience.
Ask for Feedback
Once the event has ended, invite attendees to give their honest feedback. You may find that one group found it more engaging than the other, which is helpful to know for future hybrid events. Surveys with specific questions are useful if you want to know how digital and in-person guests experienced the event based on their mode of attendance.
To host a productive hybrid event, you need to find a suitable platform and venue for your attendees, make engagement a priority, and avoid technological interruptions. Share any relevant materials with all guests regardless of their chosen method of attendance so that everyone feels included. To make sure your next hybrid event is even better, listen to guests’ feedback and implement it as needed. Hosting an event through traditional and digital means doesn’t need to be a challenge with the right preparation and creativity.