The Hybrid Handbook

As vaccination rates rise, and employees begin returning to the office, live events make their long-awaited return.    

Seminars, conferences, and workshops are just some of the options for an engaging, in-person experience. These can serve as tools to teach new skills or enhance team cohesion, but they can also function as educational marketing opportunities.

However, just like everything else, they have changed considerably.  The key to success in the post-Covid era is to implement the lessons learned over the last year. Implementing a hybrid strategy for your event ensures the maximum possible attendance, without compromising safety or comfort. Hybrid events also enable presenters to take advantage of the suite of tools available to them over videoconferencing software, which can enhance their message and increase audience engagement.

Here are five tips for hosting your next live event safely and successfully.

1. Institute Covid protocols. The comfort and safety of your attendees is paramount; be sure to observe safety precautions and make all necessary resources available. Things like hand sanitizing and temperature check stations, as well as accessible washroom facilities will help in-person guests feel safe and enjoy your event.  
2. Invite Collaboration. With some attendees in-person and others at home, it's important to manage the potential disconnect guests can feel. Asking all audience members to engage in things like polls, feedback sessions, or discussions will allow everyone to feel connected, despite the distance. 
3. Leverage your Platform. Use every tool available to you to engage your audience and promote networking. Live filesharing and breakout rooms enable attendees to get together and discuss ideas more closely. A guest speaker could be brought in on screen to offer different perspectives. A hybrid event doesn't have to subscribe to expectations; be creative!
4. Take a page from the Videoconferencing Playbook. Last year taught us the importance of efficient, honed meeting strategy. With attention spans stretched thin, meetings became leaner and more focused. Keeping audience attention facing forward is important in event, but especially so with a hybrid model.  come with a plan and stick to it. 
5. Ensure your audio visual equipment is up-to-date. Pre-check your wired and wireless connections, test your presentation software, and confirm cameras and microphones are working (especially if you are hosting a hybrid event.) Consider emerging technologies such as the Bose VB1, which offers a simple solution to common hybrid issues. Featuring a 4k camera and 6 beam-forming microphones in one compact soundbar, solutions like these guarantee full AV fidelity for a matchless event experience.