IMMERSIVE hybrid EVENT EXPERIENCES

We're staring down the barrel of a whole new world of event management.

Event experiences can be on-site, remote, or a combination of both. Hybrid events and attendee experiences are here to stay.

The best event technology offer a central hub for engagement that provides attendees a consistent experience no matter where they choose to participate from with provide pre, during, and post-event touchpoints that are synced across devices.

When it comes to event tech, choose an all-in-one solution that is flexible, scalable, and consistent from event to event, year after year. 

Get started with these "Considerations for hybrid events: a new business reality"

⇒ Here's a helpful event tech checklist to get you started: So You Want New Event Tech?

With hybrid events, the attendee is taking the experience 'with them' wherever they go. That means they can access a virtual event platform or a mobile event app to facilitate their remote and/or in-person experience.

>> Here's a look at the future of events!

The most important thing you'll need to do is ensure that experience is the same.

• Are you offering the same/similar content?
• Will session information and agendas mirror each other?
• Is the environment, look & feel, the same and consistent?
• AND MOST IMPORTANTLY - can they experience be carried over from one device to the other?

For example, if you build a custom track in the virtual environment to attend/watch sessions you're most interested in - will it be reflected in the event app? Similarly - if you are using chat in one environment, will the context of that conversation and all of your interactions be carried over. This capability is integral to a hybrid event solution - ensuring that attendees never have to 'start over' or re-do certain actions based on how and where they show up for your event.

See how our cloud-based platform streamlines the attendee experience

Targeted, concise, and contextual communications to both on-site and virtual attendees is a key element of delivering a successful hybrid event.

The types of communications we receive, how, and where we receive them are just as important as the message itself. 

Top considerations for: 

• In-person events: Contextual messaging that is tailored to who you are, where you are, and even what you are doing

For More insights, check out How to Leverage Proximity Marketing To Craft Your Campaign

• Virtual events: Understand that event attendees don't sit in front of their virtual environment all day, so use alternative methods for conveying important and/or time sensitive messages that are delivered to where and how they'll best be received
• Hybrid events: Ensure that you cover both use cases independently and also have a dedicated area in both environments that can store viewed and un-viewed messages simultaneously.

Need help crafting messages? Use this checklist: 

How To Create Mobile Notifications That Get Results

How and where we consume information and content is also changing. There are live sessions, pre-recorded sessions, interactive Q&A, autonomous event journeys and more. Even if you record a live keynote session, attendees still should have the option to choose to tune in live or even watch/re-watch on-demand. It's all a part of changing event industry, where everything is simultaneously always-one and on-demand. 

When it comes to your event content and programming, you'll need to be sure your content, collateral, partner opportunities, social capabilities, panelist sessions, group chats etc. can be viewed and/or participated with in a way that matches each attendees preferences. 

Key elements to consider for in the moment and evergreen content include: 

• Live streaming
• Post-session presentations
• Active Q&A 
• In-the-moment polls
• Social feeds
• Chat (1:1, 1:many, and moderated)
• Guidebooks
• Promotional materials
• Sponsor material and innovation zones
• Videos

iWhile attendees prefer real-time, contextual information and access, they'll also want the convenience of viewing important content when is most convenient for them and even having the option to re-visit that content, which is why event platforms (virtual or app-based) need to provide opportunities for perpetual engagement and community building through their chosen event portal.

Creative Suggestions:

What Goes Into An Activity Feed
How To Use Your Activity Feed for Gamification

Writing Your Brand's Social Story

When it comes to in-person experiences (and even some virtual ones) - interactive has always been a good way for grabbing attention. But now, we have to consider ways to make those interactions automated and/or touchless.

Digital engagement displays are a fun way to incorporate social feeds, popular hashtags, news and promos in a large format to excite and delight your guests.

Beacon or NFC-triggered experiences keep things contactless, where attendees can unlock special offers, content, or even reserve a charing station, meeting room etc. 

Networking is huge contributor to in-person event success, using Find A Friend capabilities help connect attendees across large exhibition halls and convention centers.

See How To Put Your Story On the Big Screen
Tips On How To Increase Engagement
Learn About Other Technologies That Are Interactive

 

Looking for helpful use cases on successful virtual event strategies?

 

Check out this award-winning example from Aruba Networks built on our virtual event platform.