The most successful hybrid events

It's no wonder why the majority of event planners plan to use hybrid as their go-to event format after in-person events begin. Our community recently took part in a poll on LinkedIn and discovered that the majority are planning to host online events (38%) and hybrid occasions (38%) however just 6% of them plan to host only in-person soon. Hybrid event types allow flexibility, making it easier to comply with local standards for safety and health for more intimate in-person experiences.

In this piece, we'll talk about what constitutes the hybrid event as well as get some insight from the most successful hybrid events of 2022.

Let's dive in!

What exactly does a hybrid party take on?

Hybrid events are a main event that offers two distinct and yet interconnected experiences. The common connection between live and virtual attendees is what makes the event so special. A hybrid approach can compliment events that include trade shows, conferences, meetings, or seminars.

• Live and on-demand event content. Live content can function as a live television broadcast. Event organizers can upload pre-recorded videos that viewers can stream on-demand at any time.
• Polls and live Q&As. Polls and live Q&A allow remote audiences to get the impression that they are present in the room, with speakers and can participate just like an attendee can.
• Breakout spaces. Streaming breakout sessions during the actual event will allow viewers on the internet to participate.
• Networking tools. Chat functionality, videos, profiles, and 1-to-1 gatherings help digital and in-person audience members meet.

One of the best hybrid examples from 2022.

Now that you know something about Hybrid events, the question is how can create a successful one? Here's a look at some of the most successful hybrid events to inspire you and get your hybrid event moving.

 Inbound 2022

INBOUND, powered by HubSpot INBOUND, powered by HubSpot, brings together world-class experts across the globe in sales, marketing, customer success, and revenue operations. Their first-ever hybrid event kicks in September 6th and runs through 9th of September, 2022.

In-person as well as virtual tickets, INBOUND is ensuring that people who live far away will get a dedicated experience of their own.

Virtual participants can access specialized "Digital Only" special content designed exclusively for virtual ticket holders. The content on demand will be available for a year, and will be available within 24 hours of final day of the festival. Additionally, everyone will be able to connect to the Inbound community via meetings, networking and chats.

In the case of the hybrid event, having a group of people is essential for the event to thrive.

 B2B Summit North America

B2B Summit North America is the most prestigious event for B2B managers and sales executives to assist them in implementing their business plans. This event, which was hybrid in nature, took place on the 2nd of May, 2022 in Austin, Texas and featured breakouts, networking with peers as well as inspiring keynote speeches for everyone who attended and participated regardless of location.

For those they participated virtually they provided a guided platform orientation to not only make sure that attendees felt comfortable how to navigate the event and also to help to make the most of the enjoyment. The event also featured a digital sponsor marketplace where sponsor collateral and engagement opportunities lived. In-person participants can enjoy private 1:1 sessions with experienced analysts are a great way to discuss top business priorities among many other benefits.

Remote audiences want everything your event offers. Placing resources in the same location to encourage engagement from sponsors as well as, obviously, making the sponsors feel appreciated.

 Gainsight Pulse Everywhere 2022

Gainsight's Pulse Everywhere kicks off its next event hybrid on August 17th , at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. The venerable hybrid festival offers the option of both virtual and in-person ticket choices. All ticket holders will get access to the most current research on customer experience as well as community and most important trends to follow. The event will jam packed with details to help the audience hone in on most effective practices and methods to create top-quality customer experiences.

Expect virtual networking opportunities planned to mimic the spur of the moment conversations that happen during live events. And in the case that you need to convince your job to go to an in-person event, they have a handy template ready for download to help prove the value of the occasion for your boss.

 #FinCon22

#FinCon22 will launch their experience this September in Orlando, Florida. Digital marketing events to help personal finance creators create content goes the extra mile with regards to live network meetings. The event this year will feature a central hub at World Marriott Center that includes the opportunity to meetup as well as lounges, booths at exhibits as well as roundtables, live sessions as well as other events. The majority of FinCon's schedule is targeted at in-person visitors certain ticket holders have access to on-demand event content and recordings after the event ends.

If you are planning an gathering, be sure to focus on features that promote connection between attendees who are in person as well as online. Be sure to also consider how you can make money from the content you stream.

 Empower Conference

One of the first significant hybrid conferences to take place in the past calendar year is the Empower21 conference. Virtual and in-person attendees are able to access a virtual platform for the event. The attendees can communicate with each with each other, access the agenda, information about speakers, and more. If attendees were in person, safety protocols like mandatory masks and social distancing were set in use.

The event that was a hybrid proved companies can continue to provide successful and safe in-person experiences when they follow health regulations. It is expected that the Empower Conference returns in-person to the Irving Convention Center on February 28th, 2022.

 TwitchCon

It would be no surprise that Twitch was the live streaming platform that connects gamers to each other was solely focused on virtual user experiences. However, Twitch recognizes that the benefits of a blended experience. Over the years, TwitchCon featured live entertainment, music, panel sessions as well as meet-and-greets and tournaments. Utilizing their platform to stream content, TwitchCon virtual audiences enjoy social interaction and effortless engagement in all live aspects of the convention. TwitchCon is located at San Diego and is scheduled to be held on October 7-9 2022.

 Apple's Special Events

One of the most impressive examples of hybrid events can be found in Apple Special Events. As long as it's been recorded, Apple's special events were streamed live to viewers across the world, introducing the latest Apple products, technology, and more. In 2019, an audience of 1,000 people and two million remote viewers were watching Tim Cook unveil products like the new iPad and a refreshed Apple Watch, and the cutting-edge iPhone 11. Though hybrid has since expanded to more kinds of interaction with the audience and reaches 99.95 percent of an organization's whole audience at a single event is no big deal.

 WEC Grapevine

One of the biggest meeting and event industry associations has taken hybrid to the forefront in 2021 and is still worth noting. WEC Grapevine ran a 5 days in-person conference that included more than 20 concurrent sessions, resulting in the total of 1739 people. This translates to 608 in-person and 1131 digital attendees. MPI set out to show how you can safely revive business meetings and events. This hybrid event was such a success, it was launched at Las Vegas in June in 2021. The event offered an on-site and digital experience. Both were 100% live and simultaneously taking place, participants could participate according to the best way for them.

 Social Media Marketing World

A go-to hybrid event for prominent social media influencers is The Social Media Marketing World event. In-person events are held within San Diego and offers high-quality information to motivate social media managers featured on popular social media platforms. Virtual components allow those who are not in San Diego to participate in the same content online. Registration is a clever process and gives attendees multiple ticket tiers to maximize the number of people they can reach. Tiers vary from 100% virtual, on-demand video access, and all-access passes. The all-access option offers live access on location to all keynotes, sessions, recordings as well as other.

If you are planning your hybrid event take into consideration the various ticket options and tiers to are targeted to the audience you want to reach and create a unique event experience.

 The New Yorker Festival

The beloved New Yorker Festival is back for their annual event celebrating the latest news, political, literature, film and music, art and pop cultural. This year's event includes the combination of online, live-streamed events as well as in-person occasions across New York City. Furthermore, the New Yorker Festival includes tickets to "Dining in Events" with curated food delivery to New Yorkers who are attending in the five boroughs, as well as a virtual conference with those who cooked the food.

In planning your next event in a hybrid format try to create unique experience that combines virtual connections with some interaction in person.

Hybrid events FAQ

    What is an event that is hybrid?    

A hybrid event is a single event designed for two audiences to experience. The key to the concept of a hybrid event is that two different attendees share experiences connected to each other and event content through the use of a digital platform.                     What are the various kinds of hybrid events?    

Every event that is able to be held both onsite or virtually, could be considered a hybrid event. Hybrid-type events can also be an ideal option for those who are unable to attend the event in person because of security or health reasons and have a budget that isn't enough for travel or when the on-site event's capacity is not sufficient.                     Why is hybrid event in the near future?    

Hybrid events of the future are expected to host a community in-person, while a larger global audience is able to participate online. This means we are experiencing a predominantly digital future, where measuring online behavioral data will create the future benchmarks of success.

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Here are a few final ideas to keep in mind in putting together an event that is hybrid event

• In-person attendees will thrive off of experiential aspects. Make sure to offer exclusive experiences in person for guests. You might consider hiring musicians and live entertainment to contribute to the physical element of the celebration.
• Empower attendees with multiple tickets. Let attendees decide how they want to participate. They will be not only more comfortable in the venue however, it could also boost the amount of participation according to the method they select.
• Engage a team of production. Working with a an experienced team of AV experts and event companies helps ensure seamless execution and hybrid development.
• Be aware that there is no rule book. Hybrid demands an inexhaustible quantity of imagination. Be open to trying new things and expand on early learnings.

 Originally launched on September 13th 2021. It was updated on May 18, 2022.