The debate around whether a hybrid event (I define a hybrid event as “bringing together a face
to face and remote audience for a shared participatory experience in real time”
– Paul Cook 2012), will destroy the traditional face-to-face event still
continues. And it’s set to continue for
some time I am sure.
Whilst this argument is valid to some degree I believe that it is
getting in the way of expanding the event horizons from which everyone can
benefit.
For a number of event planners the fear is that once their delegates
know that they can attend either in person or remotely; then a number of their
audience that used to attend the face to face event will decide to attend
remotely. Any true event planner will assess their situation and decide from
there whether a hybrid event will be the best way forward to achieve the
ultimate objectives of the organisation.
Let’s look
at an example of a two/three-day event that requires people from across the
globe to travel to one location. If we factor in a day either side of the event
for people to travel and get ready for the event then we are effectively
looking at a week away from their office.
Due to all sorts of reasons the number of people able to travel to this
annual event has been decreasing over recent years and now the attendance is at
50 per cent of what it was four years ago.
Depending on
the objectives of the organisation there could be a call for a different way of
making sure attendees are still involved and one of those ways would be to
include elements of the event for remote participants.
Now we are starting to look at using a hybrid event model. While this will have some challenges in terms
of extra costs there are also extra benefits that can occur so the hybrid event
shouldn’t be dismissed out of hand. The
question of whether to hybrid or not should be on the table at the outset of
the planning process.
Hybrid events are not going to be relevant in all event cases; there
will always be the traditional face to face behind closed doors event and there
will continue to be remote meetings on line but the blend that can come from a
hybrid event is one that is here to stay.
Have a look at it and if it’s not going to work for you that is OK as
well but at least get involved in considering the question of developing a
hybrid event experience and enjoy the blend that comes from mixing your
audiences together.
– Paul Cook is delivering a QEII
Conference Centre Masterclass titled “Extending your Reach with Hybrid Events” on
Friday 28 September. For more information please go to:
www.qeiicc.co.uk/attending-an-event/client-events/extending-your-reach-hybrid-events
Paul Cook is a recognised global expert
consultant on hybrid event planning and regular key speaker on the sector. He
is the Principal of the Hybrid Event Centre which
is a specialist arm of Planet Planit.
Any comments? Email conferencenews@mashmedia.net
