In previous articles (LINK TO PREVIOUS BLOG) we have addressed the hype and the newness of hybrid events.
Though entirely unexpected and paralyzing to the event production industry, the pandemic experience has held great event planning learning for us.
And while we are so excited to get back to live events, there are many benefits to the virtual event experience. Event planners want to accommodate and optimize event planning to incorporate the best of both worlds in the beautiful world of Hybrid.
Hybrid Production is tricky!
It is not a simple conversion from live to virtual.
Live and Virtual benefits and challenges are different.
Hybrid doesn’t have to be twice the work.
But it does require an expert lens for both, which can be a challenge to implement.
Post-Secondary colleges, Universities and private adult learning programs have been introducing hybrid learning for a while.
Many programs offer virtual classes or live classes in an interest to appeal to all types of learning and circumstances. But more than ever, hybrid learning can work with an organized and knowledgeable, trusted teacher.
The similarity is in the leadership that capably runs your event (of course) in a hybrid delivery model.
Choosing an event technology partner that you trust who is experienced with the fragile integration of live and virtual events to create a dynamic hybrid experience can be one of the most important decisions you make. There are many excited production companies out there offering audio-visual equipment and technology for your event.
But is that enough? Pulling off a “blow your mind” hybrid event takes more than quality equipment! I sometimes think of it as a website with a particular and preferred view on your computer, but the mobile version has not been considered to reflect the same quality or user-friendly viewing. Hybrid events are your blended computer and mobile view! They both need to be spectacular for participants to optimize their experience, purchase or come back.
The best team to manage and orchestrate your vision has these fundamentals:
Proven ability to Adapt
There has been no more challenging circumstance to adapt to than the COVID19 pandemic. The production world was the industry that arguably was the most affected, the first to shut down and the last to reopen. Businesses and event planners sought solutions reactively to their upcoming scheduled events. While many shut and cancelled everything, the resilient ones demonstrated the ultimate pivot. Creating virtual events in short timelines with limited resources became the crushing response from the adaptable production teams. In a quick turnaround, they were adding live streaming options, building remote event platforms and creatively sharing their ideas for a thirsty world looking for ways to celebrate, create, meet.
Resourceful and Creative
Hybrid Events that integrate virtual and remote elements with the dynamic power of live events are not easy! Your production team needs to view your event from every lens, understanding the technology opportunities. A team may have had years of live event setup and takedown, but you are cutting yourself short if they don’t see your hybrid piece as an equally necessary part to wow the attendees.
Expertly Delivers
Hybrid events are undoubtedly more complex and require unique expertise to do them well. Many people believe a hybrid event will cost more money from a production team than just sticking with a live or virtual event. The truth is that choosing a capable production team to oversee your hybrid events is the ultimate best bang for your buck. While they may be with you until the end of your one-time event, they have left you with a long-term marketing strategy that is priceless that will be worth the investment. Understanding the analytics, formulating reusable content and creating events that inclusively and exponentially increase your audience will accomplish more, impact more, sell more and offer more results than ever before imagined.
