The world as we knew it has undoubtedly changed as a result of the global pandemic. not only in how we conduct business and work, but also in how we communicate, travel, eat, and organize events. One thing that has become clear to organizations and event planners over the past two and a half years is that hybrid and virtual events are here to stay.
For your company’s conferences and events, hybrid event production (or purely virtual event production) makes more sense than traditional live events for a variety of reasons, including increased flexibility and wider audience reach.
According to our company’s own experience as a full-service production studio in the Bell Gardens, California metro area, the following are the top 5 reasons why hybrid events will be advantageous to you:
1. Hybrid Events Draw More Attendees From More Places.
When COVID-19 cases started rising in 2020, we unexpectedly had two options: virtual or no events. We hoped “the new normal” would fade and we could return to face-to-face meetings.
As we all know, it hasn’t. For over two years, the pandemic has come and gone, forcing businesses and event planners to adapt.
Hybrid events are in-person events with a virtual “online” component designed for each audience to maximize safety and security. Its reach is much greater than in-person events because anyone can register and participate remotely.
Some people enjoy participating in virtual events from their office or home without having to travel, while others prefer to network in person, trade business cards, or even travel far and get lost in large conference venues.
Hybrid formats combine the best of both. It allows people to interact and share ideas in person while live-streaming the event to viewers in other cities and countries who couldn’t attend.
You won’t have to stress about whether or not there will be enough people to attend, whether or not there will be a new virus scare, or whether or not people will be too accustomed to virtual events to bother showing up in person. Instead, connect local and remote participants to spread your message across multiple platforms and boundaries.
These methods create hybrid events.
2. Production Of Hybrid Events Is More Affordable And Increases ROI.
It only makes sense to reduce marketing expenses wherever possible, and hybrid event production can do that. Inflation has reached new highs this year.
Because you don’t have to worry about filling up an entire convention center, it reduces financial risk. Additionally, you don’t need a large budget because one large studio is sufficient to create both your virtual and real-world event scene.
By reducing the number of attendees at your hybrid event, you can cut down on the usual operational expenses like staffing, venue rental, security, and catering. The number of virtual participants you can host is virtually limitless simultaneously. As a result, you’ll be able to increase the return on investment from your events and gather insightful data through various digital tools for use in your marketing initiatives.
3. Higher Engagement Is Achieved By Hybrid Events.
It is well known that over the past 2.5 years, many people have developed “Zoom fatigue” and a general aversion to entirely virtual, lecture-like events.
The hybrid format differs from this in some ways. Events no longer consist of mere spectatorship, with little or no interaction between speakers and audience members except for the occasional brave question.
Even the most reclusive attendees can participate in live chat, network with other attendees, and participate in polls and competitions via event apps or other digital tools thanks to the virtual component of hybrid conferences and panels. They don’t have to be present to experience the same event vibe and interact with other attendees.
Hybrid events can undoubtedly generate a lot more online buzz than purely physical events, despite some people’s claims to the contrary. If the event is live-streamed online, other interested parties can join in at the last minute and the video can be quickly shared or liked in real-time on social media.
4. Hybrid Events Provide More Flexibility And Speed Up The Process.
The previous two years have taught any event organizer a crucial lesson: always have a backup plan in case another COVID wave cancels all in-person events. After all, delaying or voiding a conventional physical event typically entails enormous financial losses.
Instead, adding a virtual component to your events can give you more freedom and security. If you suddenly have to cut back on your physical presence, you can always move a big part of your audience to the digital platform.
You can still go ahead with your event in the virtual setting as planned even in the most unlikely cases of force majeure, provided you have the resources and technology required, of course. Additionally, you can later save some time on your marketing efforts. You can easily share and repurpose the recordings from your virtual events to fill in gaps in your content calendar and increase traffic for weeks to come.
5. Events That Are Hybrid Are More Environmentally Friendly.
Sustainability has been the top concern for many businesses over the past ten years. Even Coldplay made the decision to put off their tour until they had found a way to lessen their carbon footprint.
Consumers will favor companies and events that think green in 2022 as they become more environmentally conscious. Many people have already reduced their travel due to the pandemic and to reduce their emissions of CO2, which also includes taking part in virtual rather than actual events.
You can significantly lessen your environmental impact by planning a hybrid event. You’ll be able to get people from all over the world to come to your event while cutting down on the need for travel and getting rid of many things that aren’t good for the environment, like printed brochures, banners, and promotional items.
Do You Want To Organize A Hybrid Event?
Visionary Web Studios, a video production services company with over 25 years of experience in the Bell Gardens, California metro area, has fully embraced the changes to the industry brought on by the pandemic. Our team has worked on virtual and hybrid conferences for leading international companies over the past two and a half years, including Accenture, Cvent, Integros, Public Strategies, the FBI, Human Rights Campaign, and others. Our 14,000 sq. The ft. facility has a number of studio sets with wraparound LED virtual production sets and high-definition 5K video walls that can be up to nearly 50 feet long and 14 feet high. We can’t wait to demonstrate the future of conferencing in the Bell Gardens, California area through the use of virtual and hybrid formats.
