Close Menu
  • News
  • Home
  • In Profile
  • Finance
  • Legal
  • Technology
  • Events
  • Features
  • Wellbeing & Mental Health
  • Marketing
  • HR & Recruitment
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Events Calendar
  • Business Wall
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • 0843 289 4634
X (Twitter) LinkedIn YouTube
Trending
  • Handheld Laser Scanners Drive New Growth For Sep Geospatial In Unlikely Sectors
  • Loughborough’s Here Self Storage Hits 65% Occupancy As Local Demand Grows
  • Tool theft legislation and steps to protect your tools
  • Why Digital Excellence is key to transforming Business Culture
  • Busting myths about Asset Based Lending 
  • Self-driving cars could hit UK roads sooner than you expect, says Heligan Group
  • New Venture Aims To Help Propel Growth For Start-Ups
  • Building community, one cause at a time
X (Twitter) LinkedIn YouTube
SME Today
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Events Calendar
  • Business Wall
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • 0843 289 4634
  • News
  • Home
  • In Profile
  • Finance
  • Legal
  • Technology
  • Events
  • Features
  • Wellbeing
  • Marketing
  • HR & Recruitment
SME Today
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Events Calendar
  • Business Wall
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • 0843 289 4634
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • RSS
You are at:Home»Events»7 reasons why hybrid events are taking the lead
Hybrid events

7 reasons why hybrid events are taking the lead

0
Posted By sme-admin on August 5, 2021 Events, Features

During the pandemic, virtual events have given everyone a chance to socialise with loved ones during difficult times. It has also helped work events continue in a new dynamic, with many employees favouring the virtual experience over in-person events. But now, there is a strong desire to return to physical events. However, hybrid events are a mix of both, a combination of virtual and in-person attendance in one. They are set to take the lead in many sectors and create wider scale opportunities for event marketing teams. Hybrid events allow you to reach a large-scale audience and provide you with the opportunity to have international speakers present at your event. To explain why hybrid events will evolve going forward, Kate Healy, founder of Virtually Together has shared her expertise.

 1. Cost reduction

Physical events have significant costs, the entertainment, venue size and food are required on a larger scale. Hybrid events reduce the number of in-person attendees which helps to decrease the overall costings. It’s important to understand the costs of virtual additions such as the screens, connectivity and cameras that allow for a live stream to include remote attendees. However, these will be lower than in person add-ons as the number of participants joining online can be indefinite.

2. Increased audience engagement

Having a virtual audience allows for greater engagement. During the build-up and the event itself, guests can participate from their devices and interact with other guests. The platform creates a space for questions, shares, and likes. This can be extended for the in-person guests too, the most cost-effective way is through an event app which allows all users to network in once place.

3. Improved ROI

For any event, ROI is harder to calculate but hybrid events offer increased return on investment due to the increased reach and scalability. As these events offer more attendance you will have additional sponsor views and sign on after the event. You can also obtain enough data to translate into an accurate report on your performance. In terms of virtual scalability, technology needs to be set up once, after which it’s easy to replicate for future events. Plus, virtual platforms don’t require crews for set-up and removal. To boost your margin even further, you can scale down your in-person event and have a larger online presence.

4. Reduced impact on the environment

During the pandemic, we’ve seen the positive impact that reduce travel has had on the environment. Pollution and emissions have decreased due to people spending more time indoors. Hybrid events accommodate those who wish to continue reducing their personal carbon footprint. A drop in a headcount will mean less plastic use for catering, promotions, and less food wastage.

5. Authoritative speakers

With hybrid events, your event can reach larger numbers. A combination of both in person and virtual eliminates travel and time zone limitations. It also provides your attendees with access to international and in demand speakers. With more budget on the table, you can consider reaching out to previously out of budget industry leaders.

6. Data driven insights

At a soley live event, it be can be hard to do a accurate count and manage the engagement level. With hybrid events, you will know exact particpant numbers and also if, at any point, they drop out of the session. For sponsors they can gain essential information on traffic and interest, helping with their ROI.

7. Allows your business to address changing needs

The COVID-19 crisis has changed the way everything operates in the world. Technology and the way we work has been greatly impacted with many people now working from home indefinitely. As all businesses are adjusting their methods, they will be enticed to sponsor your hybrid event if you can guarantee and tract audience engagement. There is also no need to search the internet for event ideas when all the work has been done for you. Virtually Together host events from wine tasting to murder mystery parties. Keeping your events 100% in person is a risk and can leave your business behind. Hybrid events allow you to cater to all audience members regardless of their preference and location.

Author: Kate Healy, founder of Virtually Together
https://www.virtually-together.co.uk

 

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Related Posts

5 Reasons Why Every Office Should Include Flexible Spaces to Work and Their Key Benefits

Brits lose £11.4 billion to scams: these are 5 of the most dangerous

How to demonstrate value beyond cost in business proposals

Comments are closed.

Follow SME Today on Linkedin and share all the topics you find interesting
Verify your identity for Companies House

The Newsletter

Join our mailing list for the best SME stories, handpicked and delivered direct to your inbox every two weeks!

Sign Up
Events Calendar
    • Marketing
    July 7, 2025

    Bold Business Marketing Specialist Speaks In Swindon This Week

    July 4, 2025

    How Generative AI is Giving SMEs a Marketing Edge

    • Finance
    July 14, 2025

    Busting myths about Asset Based Lending 

    July 10, 2025

    How to build a £1 million pension and ISA portfolio

    • Health & Safety
    July 1, 2025

    Temperatures Soaring: Is Your Workplace Becoming Unsafe?

    January 29, 2025

    UK takeaways guilty of shocking hygiene failures:

    • Events
    July 4, 2025

    £20k grant for female-founded SME up for grabs

    July 2, 2025

    As Seen on BBC Panorama – Brad Burton to Headline The South West Expo in Swindon

    • Community
    July 11, 2025

    Building community, one cause at a time

    June 23, 2025

    Celebrating One Year In Fairford Supporting The Community

    • Food & Drink
    June 23, 2025

    England Cricket Captain, Ben Stokes OBE, takes a stake in Spencer Matthews’ alcohol-free spirits brand, CleanCo

    June 16, 2025

    Hospitality industry risks collapse

    • Books
    April 24, 2025

    Values-Driven Professionalism: A Path to Client Loyalty

    December 2, 2024

    Banish the banshee boss: how to lead without fear – addressing the issue of fear-based management and how NOT to be this manager

    About

    SME Today is published by the same team who deliver The Great British Expos’. We have been organising various corporate events for the last 10 years, with a strong track record of producing well managed and attended business events across the UK.

    Join Our Mailing List

    Receive the latest news and updates from SMEToday.
    Read our Latest Newsletter:


    Sign Up
    X (Twitter) YouTube LinkedIn
    Most Recent Posts
    July 15, 2025

    Handheld Laser Scanners Drive New Growth For Sep Geospatial In Unlikely Sectors

    July 15, 2025

    Loughborough’s Here Self Storage Hits 65% Occupancy As Local Demand Grows

    July 15, 2025

    Tool theft legislation and steps to protect your tools

    July 15, 2025

    Why Digital Excellence is key to transforming Business Culture

    July 14, 2025

    Busting myths about Asset Based Lending 

    Categories
    • Books
    • Community & Charity
    • Education and Training
    • Environment
    • Events
    • Features
    • Finance
    • Food and Drink
    • Health & Safety
    • HR & Recruitment
    • In Profile
    • Legal
    • Marketing
    • News
    • Property & Development
    • Sponsored Content
    • Technology
    • Transport & Tourism
    • Wellbeing & Mental Health

    Copyright © 2020 SME Today.

    • ABOUT SME TODAY: THE GO TO RESOURCE FOR UK BUSINESSES
    • Editorial Submission Guidelines
    • Privacy
    • Contact
    Copyright © 2025 SME Today.
    • ABOUT SME TODAY: THE GO TO RESOURCE FOR UK BUSINESSES
    • Editorial Submission Guidelines
    • Privacy
    • Contact

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.