Stop Making Excuses: 7 Reasons You Should Embrace Hybrid Events

December 28, 2021

The event industry has become a poster child for change. Before COVID-19, in-person events were the rule. Then, virtual events emerged to adjust for the world’s new normal of staying home and lessening contact with the outside world. Now, in-person events are slowly coming back … somewhat.

 

Now that event organizers have seen virtual, they can’t unsee it. Having reaped the benefits of virtual events, like cost savings, many organizations want the best of both the in-person and virtual worlds. To give you a better understanding of this shift, here are seven compelling reasons why hybrid events are a smart decision in 2022.

  1. Reach

A hybrid event allows you to reach a larger audience without increasing your budget commensurately. Think of the virtual component of hybrid events as a way for new audiences to sample your content without a huge time commitment. 

  1. In-person Attendance 

You get to showcase your legacy, in-person event component to virtual audiences, create FOMO among them, and convert them to in-person participants in the future. 

  1. Ticketing 

Hybrid events present your attendees with a range of ticket and price options for participation considering virtual can be priced lower than in-person tickets. Pro move: develop a pricing strategy to include different access levels that virtual and in-person attendees can choose from for your event. 

  1. Segmentation 

This event format gives you the opportunity to create even more curated experiences for your various audiences. For example, your in-person component might have an exclusive section providing access to C-level executives, while the virtual component lends itself to more inclusive engagement to connect individuals across the globe.

  1. Risk Management

Travel restrictions, vaccination levels, and venue capacities are moving in the right direction, but they haven't returned to a pre-pandemic level. By hosting a hybrid event you can transform your complete event into a virtual one should the in-person component become unviable.

  1. Eco-friendly 

Want to start reducing the carbon footprint of your in-person events? Choose the hybrid way of events and cut down on waste and emissions generated from your event. 

  1. ROI 

With hybrid events, you can activate multiple potential sales and marketing channels (in-person and virtual) simultaneously thereby creating more revenue opportunities for yourself. 
 

Want to reach a global audience and keep them engaged? Reimagine audience experience with Hubilo. 

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact