Jaime Theresa Smith, CMP
National Account Manager
Hybrid events, the future of how we will meet, with us having an in-person component and an online one… in some form or fashion. It will be our way of meeting everyone’s needs as well as achieving our meeting planning goals. Eventually the name will go away, so we won’t have to focus on it, like we did “pivot” during the pandemic. Ultimately though, this is the best of both worlds, as long as we create the right impact for each audience.
Let’s get creative with how we build these future events. This is our chance to change the industry, make it an experience… an enhanced engagement for the connection we have been craving while only meeting virtually.
Where to begin? Reflect back on the successes of what came out of being virtual only.
Then, determine what’s best for your next event and your attendees by starting at the beginning. What are your goals? Determining the outcome only to work your way back in finding out how, when, where, is how we have always (or should have) built our events. Keep doing that. (Anyone heard of the #eventcanvas method?) Work with your partners! They are there for a reason… to help you succeed.
Create the right impact for each audience:
In-Person
Virtual
Start early, communicate clearly and often, and be flexible! Don’t forget meeting fatigue for both. Getting creative with your agendas will help with that latter point. Just as the “new normal” won’t be the same, our events shouldn’t be either. Try something new. Meet the needs of your attendees, your stakeholders, and collaborate with others. We were “in it together” during the height of the pandemic; we should continue being in it together moving forward.
The only thing constant is change. Embrace it!