If your company plans to curate corporate events, executive meetings, fundraising galas, or industry conferences this year, you’ll want to be sure to develop a strategy for both in-person and digital engagements. Events are going full-steam ahead with hybrid experiences, meaning you’ll want to become an expert in hybrid events.
There’s a lot to unpack when designing hybrid events in 2024, from knowing which digital platforms to use to event planning virtual activities for remote guests. So, today, we’re sharing our expertise in hybrid events to help you navigate the challenges and technicalities. Follow these hybrid event best practices for brilliant corporate event engagements this year!
1. Know What Types of Corporate Events Can Go Hybrid
The latest research finds that more than one-third of all event planners predict they’ll be investing more in hybrid events. Looking ahead, 25% of surveyed planners intend to host five to ten hybrid events every year. And there are a host of corporate event types that benefit from the hybrid format.
- Hybrid corporate meetings
- Networking events
- Lectures and presentation events
- Product launch events
- Team-building events
- Professional development and training events
- Trade show conferences
- Fundraising galas and charity events
2. Understanding the Benefits of Hybrid Events
Successful hybrid events give your event guests the convenient opportunity to join your company engagements in person while also being welcoming to those who need to — or choose to — attend from anywhere else in the world. Some benefits of hosting hybrid events include the following:
- Reach broader event audiences
- Better variety of guest speakers
- Increased accessibility, reducing travel expenses
- Affordable to attend for all your guests
- More opportunities for event sponsors
3. Set Clear Goals for Both In-Person and Virtual Experiences
The key to entertaining and educating both in-person and online attendees in a hybrid event boils down to your ability to mix and match your event agenda. You’ll want to include digital guests in your audience to experience any presentations or keynote speakers. But the digital audience won’t be able to take advantage of a dance floor like in-person guests can. So, be prepared to curate online entertainment experiences and options to keep them in tune with your event, even if they’re not in the room.
4. Coordinate Hybrid Event Logistics
You’ll coordinate your corporate event venue, line up the speakers, choose a menu, and book the entertainment. But don’t forget about the logistics needed to connect your hybrid event audience to all the action. This might include a virtual event platform to stream the experience, a moderator to wrangle online guests and troubleshoot if necessary, quizzes and online games, and more. Just remember that when curating your hybrid events, you manage separate logistics to-do lists.
5. Plan Ways for Online Guests to Experience Everything
More than two-thirds of event planners say the hardest element of hybrid event planning is ensuring they have the right technology for the best, streamlined experience. Another 71% say the biggest challenge is connecting the virtual guests with the in-person guests. But there are tips to know to help you with your company’s hybrid event to overcome these obstacles.
- Conduct test runs on all of your management and virtual event software before the event.
- Keep checklists for both sides of the hybrid event to accommodate every aesthetic and engagement opportunity.
- Bring in an experienced hybrid event planner to oversee your efforts and ensure every detail is well-executed.
Start embracing hybrid events as part of your company’s event schedule this year. And keep these insights in mind to help you navigate the planning process. Just remember, if your corporate event needs to wow and impress in a big way, your best bet is to always rely on the pros to help. Contact the EMRG Media team for all your hybrid events, and we’ll make sure every guest experience, both online and in person, is memorable and successful!
