The truth about hybrid events and what the future holds

“The Future of Hybrid Events: Insights from a Study of 150 Event Marketers”

As the world continues to adapt to the changing events landscape due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the concept of hybrid events is gaining popularity. But what does the future hold for hybrid events? To gain a better understanding, Morning Consult conducted a study on behalf of Zoom, interviewing over 150 event marketers and planners from various organizations.

Results:

The study found that 91% of event marketers believe hybrid events will play an important role in event planning of the future. This suggests that hybrid events are here to stay and will continue to be a popular event format for years to come.

Implications for organizations:

The results of this study have important implications for organizations planning future events. Hybrid events offer companies a unique opportunity to reach a wider audience by offering the best of both worlds – the personal touch of in-person events and the accessibility and reach of virtual events.

Advances in Technology:

As technology continues to advance, hybrid events are likely to become even more immersive and interactive. The use of virtual reality and augmented reality is expected to increase, offering participants a more engaging experience. This is especially important for organizations that want to create memorable experiences for their attendees.

Sustainability and carbon footprint:

The sustainability trend is also expected to drive more organizations to host hybrid events rather than purely face-to-face events. By reducing travel and requiring large physical spaces, hybrid events can have a significantly lower carbon footprint. This is becoming increasingly important as organizations strive to reduce their environmental impact and meet the growing demand for sustainable events.

The Benefits of Hybrid Events: Enhanced Networking Opportunities”

Networking is a crucial aspect of in-person events, but with the rise of virtual and hybrid events, it can be difficult to replicate the same level of interaction and connection. However, event professionals who plan and organize events believe that hybrid events can effectively facilitate interactions between virtual and in-person attendees. In a recent Morning Consult poll, 54% of respondents support the idea, and 61% believe the interaction between virtual and in-person attendees is the biggest benefit of hybrid events.

Virtual networking with Zoom:

At Zoom, we believe in the power of virtual networks and have developed a new feature on our event management platform, Zoom Events, specifically designed to capture the essence of in-person events and connect virtual attendees. The virtual networking tool allows attendees to create profiles with pictures, social contacts and contact details, providing multiple opportunities for meaningful conversations before, during and after an event.

Ideal interactions at hybrid events:

Sharing contact information and meaningful conversations at a hybrid event are seen by event marketers as the most ideal possible interactions, according to Morning Consult’s survey. The virtual networking tool allows attendees to connect with each other, making it easier to build new relationships and strengthen existing ones.

“The Future of Hybrid Events: Insights from Event Marketers

As virtual and hybrid events gain prominence in the events industry, event marketers face new challenges to ensure their events are engaging and accessible to all attendees. A recent study conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of Zoom surveyed over 150 event marketers to gain insight into the current state and future of hybrid events. Here’s what the study found about the top concerns and opportunities for event marketers in the world of hybrid events.

Top concerns for event marketers

According to the study, 46% of event marketers regularly question whether their event will be engaging enough for attendees, while 55% believe that creating equality between remote and in-person attendees is critical to a successful hybrid event. To overcome these challenges, event marketers are turning to technology for solutions.

The importance of technology in hybrid events

The study found that the majority of event marketers use audio/video communication platforms for hybrid events, but not all platforms are equipped for the full event management lifecycle. This can lead to issues like connectivity issues for remote attendees, difficulty accessing the event, and choosing the right platform for the event.

To ensure a successful and engaging hybrid event experience, event marketers must invest in technology that is seamless and can handle the entire event lifecycle, from content distribution to the intended interaction between attendees. Zoom’s event management platform, Zoom Events, was built to do just that, offering unique features like backstage interaction between speakers, an exhibit hall for attendees, and virtual networking opportunities.

Networking opportunities at hybrid events

Networking is one of the greatest benefits of face-to-face events, but it can also be achieved with virtual and hybrid events. 54% of respondents to the Morning Consult study believe that hybrid events facilitate interaction between virtual and in-person attendees well. At Zoom, we believe in the power of virtual networks and have developed a new networking feature in Zoom Events to capture the magic of in-person events and connect virtual attendees.

Advice from event professionals

As hybrid events become more common, event marketers may feel overwhelmed by the challenges they face. However, with the right technology and approach, hybrid events can be just as engaging and successful as face-to-face events. Contact Zoom’s Event Services team today for expert advice on how to create a successful hybrid event experience.

The future of hybrid events

From technology to engagement, Morning Consult’s research provides valuable insight into the key concerns and opportunities for event marketers in the world of hybrid events. With demand for virtual and hybrid events expected to increase in the years to come, event marketers need to be armed with the right technology and approach to ensure their events are engaging and accessible to all attendees. To learn more about the future of hybrid events, read the full study and get started with Zoom Events today.”