Hybrid Event Technology: Revolutionizing the Future of Event Experiences 

Did you know that, according to a new Markeltic report, it says “87% of B2B companies receive a positive return on investment on their hybrid event within 7 months after the closing of the event”? Clearly, hybrid events will soon be the most popular and the future of events.  

Hybrid events have transformed the event space. They provide a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere for all attendees and even creators or organizers that is is not restricted to size, location, or venue limitations. Whether it is a conference, trade show, concert, or business meeting, hybrid events are breaking down the traditional barriers to reach a wider audience: scalability, accessibility, and cost efficiency as it allows attendees to attend in person or remote or via online channels.  

In previous blogs, we have cautioned on how to save on venue rents, lodging, food, and transportation for your in-person and speaker attendees, and now, once you add a virtual component, so remote attendees add affordable easy-to-attend options for the event as well as cut down on lodging and transport expenses all together. This doesn’t just save money: the smaller organizations or individuals who are historically cut out of engagements, can create and attend an event they otherwise would not.  

HOW ARE HYBRID EVENTS THE FUTURE

Hybrid events are incredible at considering quality because they are sustainable, profitable, and will be accessible. The future of events will lie in the integration of hybrid experiences, where attendees will continue to expect personalized and participatory levels that are extraordinary for an event. This hybrid phenomenon will start to seamlessly run in-person meetings alongside online events, allowing agility and inclusivity without hindering experience. Attendees can participate from anywhere in the world, with a variety of virtual activities designed to eliminate time and location barriers. 

But that’s just the beginning. Organizers have endless opportunities to provide engaging and truly immersive interactions for attendees – both at the event, as well as online – with an array of interactive tools, live stream options, and virtual networking platforms at their disposal.  

Hybrid events blend physical and digital elements together. This unique combination helps to combine the best of both worlds into a memorable, energetic event. 

Event Technology for Hybrid Events

A. Registration & Ticketing

Efficient registration and ticketing technologies, make managing attendance process straightforward. When participants want to come to the event, they can easily register for the event, choose their attendance type, and pay securely online. Samaaro allows organizers to obtain complete data on all attendees to ensure personalized communication and effective logistical planning. 

B. Event Management Software

EMS has become important for Hybrid Events; give organizers the suite of tools event managers need to efficiently execute planning an event. Samaaro provides event organizers with the ability to have event websites, manage registrations and deliver customized communication to the participants. Event Management Software can also ensure excellent operational efficiency, though ease of scheduling and managing speakers, and working with exhibitors through an EMS. Along with interactive technologies for virtual events that can offer opportunities for attendee virtual networking, gamification options and attendee engagement measurement are included in event management software. Event organizers can leverage robust analytic and reporting tools to observe attendee behaviour, review event success, and make data-informed decisions for future events. The all-in-one platform allows organizers to quickly and easily manage all aspects of the hybrid event through each of the event stages. 

C. Live Streaming & Broadcasting

Live streaming and broadcasting capabilities are essential to hybrid events because they serve as a conduit between in-person and online attendees. Live streaming allows virtual attendees to participate in and log in to the event through high-quality video streaming technology.  Engagement with the hybrid event still exists through virtual attendee behaviours like live chat and Q & A, as attendees connect with speakers (online attendees) and their peers (in-person attendees) and develop a sense of connection. Virtual and in-person photo booths can also be included in the experience for memory making and sharing on social media. 

D. Mobile Web Apps

Mobile web apps can increase engagement and participation for both in-person and online attendees. With apps, the experience can be tailored by using interactive tools like full session schedules, interactive event maps, and notifications for multi-sessions and reminders.  

Communication and engagement are seamless between onsite attendees and encourages sharing of attendee information while also allowing for important announcements related to the experience and the event. Mobile web apps enhance participant connection to information to improve overall event experience. For event organizers, mobile web apps provide an experience for all participants as well as valuable insights and information. Organizers can capture participant engagement through polls and surveys on what activities were completed, track who attended the sessions, and even collect feedback. Interactive maps and event catalogs allow for further information sharing about exhibitors and enhance navigation experience for the attendee. 

E. Networking 

The blending of technology and many digital tools provides enhanced opportunities for networking in hybrid learning events. AI matchmaking can connect attendees, furthering optimized networking opportunity as well as a space for related conversation and engagement. Pre-event meeting schedulers also exist that allow participants to connect and setup pre-scheduled meetings which allows for efficient time management and engagement-focused attendance among the event.  

With the digitalisation of business cards, and connection request, sharing information is often managed in one digital source making it easy for attendees to grow their connections. In addition, event live chat can promote real-time engagement between in-person and virtual attendees through sharing, exchanging information, developing a collaborative experience, with information sharing all because of hybrid events. 

Conclusion

Event organizers can create immersive, engaging experiences to a varied audience using event technology. A blend of in-person engagement and online accessibility provides various avenues of sharing knowledge, engagement, and developing networking and business opportunities. Future event experiences will almost certainly depend on the events industry continuing to develop and evolve hybrid events and the technology to enhance hybrid engagement.

Whether it is a greener experience, more engagement experience, business networking and/or engagement experience, or an event in the future, hybrid events represent the future of events! Get ready with Samaaro to put the revolution of event planning and engagement into a world of possibilities!