As we wrap up our month of blog posts dedicated to Hybrid Events, we thought it would be important to look towards the future of this event type. 2021 has seen the hybrid event explode in popularity due to the health and safety precautions surrounding Covid 19. As a result, people went from attending massive in-person events to taking to their computers to attend online instead. Will this trend continue? Will hybrids continue to gain popularity as an event choice? What will they look like even farther into the future? Today we want to identify where this trend is headed by looking at some critical aspects of its future and give more insight into the world of hybrid events. Let’s dive in!
Where are we headed?
As we try to look towards the future of the events industry, it’s hard to know what’s coming. The past year and a half saw the industry do a complete 180. The world has completely changed. Technology has advanced, people’s goals and mindsets have been altered, and social interactions are being approached entirely differently.Something we have been noticing in hybrid events is the increased use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. Artificial Intelligence has already altered how we will have more of a customized experience at all of our events in the future. Your registration to all events will provide the ever changing event platforms with details that will help you find your ideal connections and enhance your engagements. Simple feedback such as the industry you work in, why you are attending the event and city or town you live in will create your profile and target people with similar backgrounds or interests. We also expect to see more events featuring holograms and transporting speakers or entertainers from the inperson stage right to your living room.
Are Hybrid Experiences the end all be all?
As much as Hybrid events have exploded, there will always be something that pushes this trend even further. At Debonair, we’re constantly researching and pursuing new ideas of what’s to come. Below we identify some key trends that will continue to push the hybrid event even further.
Integrated Experiences
So, what does this futuristic term ‘integrated experiences’ mean? Let us explain. An integrated experience is similar to a hybrid event experience – but it offers audience members a more direct experience specifically orientated for their needs and challenges. Integrated experiences also offer audiences more touchpoints to the event. This means that if they want to attend an event, they have not only one but a few in-person options that meet their needs or values. Different versions of the same event speak directly to that audience member if they prefer the virtual route. Integrated experiences also will offer other options like live on-demand streaming that can be viewed whenever the customer wants, or numerous virtual tools and content that will allow event-goers to continually learn, experience and engage with what the event has to offer. In a post-Covid 19 world, people will want options when it comes to events.
Quality Control:
When the pandemic hit in 2020, the need for virtual events was almost instant. People were used to gathering in large event spaces, being close together to being spread out across the world, virtually. Companies and brands were thrown into the fire and forced to use virtual strategies instantly. For many, this was unchartered territory . It became pretty clear that the world would need these types of events moving forward, but they would also need to be of the highest quality so the experience was similar to an in-person event. With the constant use of virtual tools, attendee’s expectations on quality have increased. On top of the importance of quality, virtual events and other programs offering virtual experiences will continue to adapt to customer’s wants or needs. These will become more customizable and allow for changes to match however the user is feeling, whether changing the design or layout or using tools like polls and games. We’ll continue to see the virtual landscape strive for higher levels of quality and more exciting ways to create a unique experience for hybrid events.
Technology Providers pushing boundaries.
Not that long ago, virtual events were mostly just microphones, powerpoints and other basic tools that would get the job done. Due to the past year, technology has been catapulted forward at a faster rate. As a result, the companies providing these technologies have an increased demand for pushing the envelope and continually evolving the hybrid and virtual event world. Whether it’s creating new avenues for engagement or allowing more people to be together online in a virtual event, providers will continue developing new ways to make these platforms more and more valuable. Think about the strides that industry leaders made within weeks and months at the beginning of the pandemic. Give this a five-year timeline, and the possibilities are truly endless for what’s to come in the hybrid events world!
As we continue post-pandemic, hybrid events will continue to be a focal point within the events industry. But, we will start to see these types of events grow and evolve into other unique experiences. Event-goers are always looking to see something new. As a result, trends will always grow and develop. Ideas like integrated experiences, quality control, and technology providers will create a new foundation for future events. When you need a strategic partner to plan and produce an engaging meeting or event that will meet the needs of future attendees, give us a call as we would be happy to provide you with a free consulting session.