The Best of Both Worlds: Hybrid Events ASHLEY RUSSO, ASR MEDIA PRODUCTIONS
It’s been over a year and a half since ASR Media Productions filmed its last entirely in-person event, and it’s no secret that our team has missed seeing attendees smiling and enjoying the show ourselves. For many, connecting with friends and coworkers while networking with new faces can be the most appealing aspect of events. And yet, we’re still anticipating the next time we can comfortably gather with hundreds of our closest connections without concern. As live events and conferences return to marketing strategy and budget conversations, virtual events should and must remain a part of the event industry. The demand for virtual events is exploding, and they were already growing in popularity before Covid-19. Virtual events were valued at almost $78 billion in 2019, and their worth is expected to grow 23.2% by 2027. Based on this alone, virtual events are anything but a temporary phenomenon. Since virtual events are here to stay, there’s a new opportunity to combine in-person and online experiences. This powerful duo, otherwise known as a hybrid event, seamlessly integrates technology and purpose to facilitate audience participation, no matter live or online. And it's not just my prediction. 73% of event planners now anticipate that hybrid events will become much more common. Thankfully, this new trend has numerous benefits. Hybrid events encourage audiences to participate no matter their location or comfort level, which can lead to higher attendance. They also offer an opportunity to enhance an event for lower costs and to pull useful consumer data. Each attendee receives a consistent experience, and in my opinion, this degree of flexibility is arguably the most crucial advantage of adopting a hybrid approach. ASR Media’s experience hosting hybrid events has helped clients reach new, larger audiences while offering the thrill of in-person events and the social distancing of virtual. There’s
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practically no capacity limitation for how many people can attend. Not only do our clients receive all the benefits of virtual events, but they also secure a physical reconnection with their audiences, putting online and in-person attendees on the same level. We can’t forget that the versatility of hybrid events offers greater control over costs - a key perk. In the last 18 months, my team and I have observed that sponsors are likely to participate in remote events thanks to convenience. Virtual event booths and the ability to give presentations via video conference can not only increase sponsorship value but could also get you more bang for your buck. With reduced or no travel costs, scheduling a well-known keynote speaker is easier than ever. If they’re unable to present live, you can pre-record segments to use later. Another major merit of a hybrid event? It’s more than just a one-time show. Our team edits shorter cuts for future use, so our clients get to “double-dip” event-specific created content that is worth two to three times their original investment. Not only do clients receive reusable videos for social media and website use, but 99.5% of sponsors prefer to have post-event content available, so their ads are seen longer. It's a win-win situation! The pandemic is not everlasting, yet we understand that some people may be hesitant to join in-person events, especially those medically vulnerable. Hybrid events allow organizers to accommodate those with heightened concerns. If your event needs to be canceled for any reason, a hybrid event platform ensures you are prepared to pivot at any moment. It’s been over a year and a half since ASR Media Productions filmed its last entirely in-person event, and it’s no secret that our team has missed seeing attendees smiling and enjoying the show ourselves. For many, connecting with friends and coworkers while networking with new faces can be the most appealing
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