#3: Hybrid Event Solutions: Connect with your audiences wherever they are
The pandemic turned public outreach – and engagement of all kinds – inside out. Schools shifted online, doctors’ offices opened on the web and office workers tuned in from remote outposts. Similarly, public engagement events transformed overnight into virtual experiences. The pivot to online, invented of necessity, did more than offer a virtual option; in many cases, virtual actually increased participation, and the desire to retain those gains amid the shift back to in-person events is giving way to a new innovation toward a hybrid approach that integrates experiences for both virtual and physical attendees. The emerging trend is a hybrid solution that enables multiple kinds of participation to meet the needs of all attendees.
What is a Hybrid Event?
Hybrid events integrate elements of virtual meetings with in-person events, creating a hybrid that can go much further than a simple live-stream version of a physical event. Hybrid events retain the benefits of physical meetings, while lowering the barriers to participation for those who can’t or who choose not to attend in person. In many cases, digital attendees surveyed at hybrid events have self-identified as not intending to attend an event in person—that means a hybrid increases the reach of your event content with the potential of permanently expanding your audience.
Here are a few popular tools for creating a hybrid online/in-person event:
Most of the services on the market offer starter levels that will allow you to develop a simple version of a hybrid event, which is often all you need to bring your face-to-face meeting to a wide digital audience. Dig in and try a few:
SpotMe - SpotMe is a digital platform that allows you to stream a live in-person event and publish it directly to social media when the event has ended. If you continue to promote participation, archiving the event to social media can double your input. And by keeping poll features live, you can continue to collect input on important meeting content.
Aventri - This online system will enable you to register attendees as virtual or in-person participants, allowing you to tailor communication to them before and after the event. It adds a closed captioning function that allows attendees to choose their language. Plus, Aventri offers components you can add to your in-person version for touchless sign-in that increases participant comfort.
Hublio - Hublio is a combination virtual and in-person platform—a hybrid event in a box that offers lots of functionality, each option with a face to face and digital approach.
How can hybrid events enhance public engagement?
One event, two experiences. With a hybrid event, all attendees enjoy a shared experience, but they can participate in the way they wish.
More access for more people. Neither physical limitations nor distance need to limit hybrid events, increasing both the geographic reach of the event and accessibility and inclusiveness.
More ways to engage. By integrating live chats, attendees off and on-site can interact, enabling idea-sharing in real time, no matter where you’re located. Plus, your digital attendees may be participating by desktop or mobile devices, so they can like, comment, share, and more—helping you increase your audience even more.
More input. Collecting input from participants is a central function of public engagement outreach. When you add a digital component, you can collect information on the demographics of your audience, gaining insights into their points of view.
Hybrid Vigor
Digital events will never replace the benefits of face-to-face interaction, but they have benefits of their own that, when integrated with in-person workshops and meetings, significantly increase participation and inclusiveness. Pandemic restrictions may be ending, but the valuable lessons of digital interaction are giving way to hybrid engagement that deliver information to diverse audiences, reduce the costs and environmental impact of travel, and increase opportunities for participation.
Interested in seeing these trends in your outreach? Let’s get to work, give us a call and schedule a meeting today.
Arch Street Communications
251 W 117th St, NY, NY 10026
160 Wildey Street, Tarrytown, NY 10591
Tel: 914-821-5100 | Fax: 914-821-5111
info@asc-pr.com
asc-pr.com
asc-remote.com