How to make the most out of hybrid events –

Hybrid events mix in-person events with a number of virtual attendees. This is the new normal. Here’s a simple guide to help you nail your next hybrid event.

1. Know your audience
   Think about your local audience and your online audience. Do they both want the same things
   
2. Know your goals
   Figure out what you want from this event. Are you aiming to teach, to network, to entertain or to promote something?
   
3. Pick the right platform
   Choose a tech platform that’s great for streaming and look for interactive features. Q&A, polls, breakout sessions all help to create variety. Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Hopin are good and all have different strengths. Be sure to check it can handle the number of people you expect. You may need some advice from an AV specialist here.
   
4. Make your content lively
   Make sure there’s something for both the in-person and the virtual attendees. Mix live and prerecorded stuff. Use interactive bits like polls and Q&A
   
5. Use good AV gear
   Quality matters. Invest in good cameras, microphones and don’t forget lighting. Hire an AV team to handle the tech stuff. You have to focus on delivering the message.
   
6. Practise and Test, then do that again
   Do several test runs to make sure everything runs smoothly. Check the internet, the audio and the video setup. Run through the schedule with your speakers. Check the laptops and the cables.
   
7. Keep everyone engaged
   Remote people especially can drift away. Run breakout rooms, live chats and polls to keep them involved.
   
8. Have a Plan B
   Even if you have tested everything, the tech can go wrong. Have a support team on hand and a plan ready to go.
   
9. Encourage networking
   Use the technology to help in-person and virtual attendees to connect. Use virtual netwroking tools, breakout rooms and social media interaction.
   
10. Get feedback and improve
    After the event, ask attendees for feedback through surveys and polls. Analyze this to see what worked and what didn’t, so you can make the next event even better.
    
11. Stay engaged
    Send thank-you emails, share recorded sessions, and offer extra resources. Keep the conversation going on social media to keep the momentum alive.