As we all know, the event and meeting industry changed profoundly due to the Covid-19 emergency. Many keywords not commonly used are now discussed daily: one of them is undoubtedly “hybrid event”. This format is not new but unquestionably more popular now with lockdown and social distancing necessities. Hybrid events demonstrated to be the future event trend, with digital events, and not only because they better correspond to the current event industry needs against coronavirus.
Event organisers are the first to be aware of this trend, as recent surveys by Planner Confidence Index of I-Meet show. Based on this study, 63% of event professionals sees hybrid as the future format of live events. Event Etc.venues confirmed that among a thousand event organisers, 73% of them would choose hybrid events at least during 2020.
Rox Event Staff is the only event staffing agency in the UK that helps you take the headache out of staffing and event marketing in one place.
We operate nationwide across the UK with over 2,000 dynamic COVID-19 trained event staff on our growing roster. We have dedicated account management, event marketers, staff’s right-to-work checks, training and skills tests on all workers, taking care of payroll too.
We are leaving you free to focus on your business!
What is a Hybrid Event?
In a few words, a hybrid format puts together the face-to-face and digital event. This formula means the event takes place live, with in-person meetings in a physical event venue but it’s also available digitally for people that cannot attend.
The usage can be various: among the most common there is the live streaming for those connecting remotely from their computer or smartphone, and that takes part, with different possibilities of interaction, to the live event. The main event where all speakers are can even involve other external events simultaneously from different locations, with smaller groups of participants.
From Strategy to Audience: What’s the Difference
The strategy is fundamental even for hybrid events, as much as for all kinds of events. What do I want to communicate and how, during my hybrid event? And most of all: what’s my audience? This question is particularly important because, with a hybrid event, your audience can potentially become wider.
Virtual attendance can allow a bigger audience to take part in the event content without leaving their home or office. On one side, this aspect is an advantage, because it allows to include participants that otherwise won’t be able to attend because of budget issues, time or other appointments. On the other side, though, it’s even more critical to identify the right audience and focus on potential participants to attract them, making them attend and engage them even post-event.
Especially for B2B, but also for B2C, it’s not only the number of participants to determine the event’s success but the kind of public involvement, which needs to be as much specific as possible for the type of content offered.
The starting point to engage the right audience is to take into consideration the needs of remote audiences, creating ad hoc content.
This approach allows you to debunk among event organisers the myth of in-person attendance decrease due to the virtual option available, to save up money and time.
A Digitell survey on 100 event professionals shows that 83% never considered participating in-person to an event since they could do that remotely. But after experiencing online, they may decide to attend at the event venue in-person for the next edition.
After all, hybrid events existed even before Covid-19. A great example is all those product-launches organised by Apple, that since many years already combined their face-to-face events with highly technological live streaming watched globally.
The Importance of Content
If the content is fundamental for an event, when it’s about hybrid formats, it’s even more vital. Think, for example, about the speakers’ sessions live-streamed, which are recorded and are therefore available online post-event. This content can be made available on the event’s website, increasing users the best way possible.
For example, you can share free content for those that already paid the ticket but couldn’t follow all sessions, or offering the range to a lower price or free in exchange for a subscription.
Speaking of, the web marketing Moz opted for a virtual edition this year, due to the coronavirus emergency. On their website, there is content (like slide presentations from different speakers) from the most exciting sessions, which Moz makes available only after the user registers to access the pro version.
About Rox Event Staff, Event Staffing Agency in London
Rox Event Staff is the only event staffing agency in London that helps you take the headache out of staffing and event marketing in one place.
We operate nationwide across the UK with over 2,000 dynamic COVID-19 trained events staff on our growing roster. We have dedicated account management, event marketers, staff’s right-to-work checks, training and skills tests on all workers, taking care of payroll too.
Hiring a professional Event Staffing Agency leaves you free to focus on your business!
If you want to safely maximise engagement on your next trade show speak to a member of the Rox Event Staff team to find out how we’ll make it happen!
