Virtual and Hybrid Events: What Makes Them Different

The event industry is evolving at a rapid pace over the past few years. The Covid-19 epidemic brought everything to a standstill last year. When it became clear that the pandemic was not going away any time soon, the events industry, like most others, was compelled to adopt or close its doors.

Fortunately, event planners have responded to these new issues by using cutting-edge solutions such as virtual and hybrid events. Even in the face of tremendous hurdles, both sorts of occurrences have allowed the performance to carry on. So, how can you tell the difference between virtual and hybrid events? We'll teach you all you need to know about the event experience in this article.

Difference between Virtual and Hybrid Events

Virtual and hybrid events both use technology to bring groups of people together in spirit, even if they can't all be present at the same time.

However, there are some significant distinctions between these two types of events:

Virtual Events

A virtual event is one in which participants interact with the event and its content online rather than meeting in person. According to Google Trends, the world is becoming increasingly virtual. Some common examples of virtual event technologies include online meetings, webinars, webcasts, event management sites, and web conferences.

You may provide your virtual attendees the opportunity to network with one another, submit event inquiries and doubts to speakers, and provide real-time feedback depending on the virtual event platform you choose to hold your event.

Hybrid Events

Hybrid events combine the “live” in-person attendance with “virtual” online components for remote attendees. It provides an opportunity to perfectly blend the physical, virtual audience experience and expand the reach to a worldwide audience at a relatively low cost. You not only attract the audience who are able to physically attend the event but also provide a completely new way for people to engage with your brand at a global level.

Now that we've addressed the basic differences between them both, let's take a deeper look at the advantages of these two types of events.

Why host Virtual Events

Accessibility: Virtual events allow you to accommodate attendees who are unable to attend in person while the event is still being held in person.

Budget: Your event software company needs to minimize expenses by doing fewer events and webinars. Virtual may help in the transfer of funds to the year's most important event, which generates the most leads. When travel expenses are a problem for attendees, having a virtual or hybrid alternative is also beneficial.

Global Reach: Virtual events can have a global reach and can bring together the largest number of people with a simple click. Additionally, virtual events are not limited to the pool of attendees. They now have a larger pool of panelists, speakers, and content to choose from.

Covid Restriction: Because of the restrictions on indoor capacities and traveling, people are less inclined to be in the physical presence of others, and corporates are not allowing employees to travel as they use to; as a result, the event business is now shifting to a virtual form, which defines the future of events.

Why host Hybrid Events

Best of both worlds: Hybrid events combine the advantages of both in-person and virtual events. With both worlds united, audiences may engage in social contact while also having access to the virtual even software, which allows you to host additional material, run games and activities, and facilitate cross-networking.

Increased sponsor’s exposure: Sponsors will profit from the additional reach that a hybrid event promises. They gain more brand exposure on not one, but two platforms, one of which is more long-lasting. There is a chance to provide awareness both virtually and in-person with various tiered sponsorship packages. Sponsors may boost their potential reach and value by combining cross-media brand awareness with the chance to communicate with virtual and in-person attendees.

Easy on environment: Hybrid events lower the number of persons in attendance at the physical place. Reduced carbon footprint and resource waste are inextricably linked to scaled-down physical events.

We see less transportation, fewer printed resources, and so on as fewer people attend from out of town and information is offered online.

How to choose between Virtual Events & Hybrid Events

Both virtual and hybrid events offer advantages. "Which type should I choose for my next event?" you might think after reading these benefits. It's a good way to consider the following questions before making a decision: When’s the event happening?

COVID-19 constraints are rapidly changing. However, your company needs to plan for the realities of holding a virtual event. In addition, virtual events take less time to arrange. And because they won't have to go to a certain site, the number of participants will only grow.

A hybrid event might provide you with greater options if you have more time to arrange. Face-to-face interaction boosts participation and excitement.

As a result, the event will be eagerly anticipated and maybe well-attended. In addition, given the last year of isolation, in-person activities will almost certainly be pursued with greater zeal.

Who are your attendees?

Another important factor to think about is your guest list. Consider the following questions as you consider your target audience:

How many attendees do you want to invite?

What location are they coming from?

Can they attend the event under COVID-19 guidelines?

Will they feel comfortable attending the event?

Finally, the event's objectives should be aligned with the requirements of the attendees. If meetings should be held at a distance, a virtual event may provide a safer and more comfortable environment.

What kind of event is it going to be?

Last but not least, think about the sort of event you're arranging. Every event is unique, and the requirements for a trade exhibition differ from those for a conference. Consider how in-person aspects could transition to an online format, as well as what makes each of those features appealing to both local and remote audiences.

A hybrid event may be the best solution if physical aspects are important to your event. In that case, a virtual event may suffice.

To know more about Eventdex event management software, schedule a demo and see how we can help you transform your events. https://www.eventdex.com/contact-us