Half of all companies in France now use remote work. With more connected employees looking for flexibility in their workplace, companies are facing new internal communication challenges. Dispersed teams and increasing demands for corporate social responsibility (CSR) mean that traditional in-person events no longer always meet everyone’s needs.
The solution?
The hybrid format, which combines the best of both worlds: in-person and remote participation. But why adopt it for your internal (and external) communication? Here are 9 reasons why you should transition your in-person events to a hybrid format and address modern internal communication challenges.
1. Reach a wider audience
Imagine being able to gather 1,000 people in a space that can only hold 200. Convenient, right? One of the biggest advantages of a hybrid event is that it allows you to bring together a much larger audience. By opening your doors virtually, you're no longer limited by the physical capacity of a venue or geographic constraints. Whether employees are at headquarters, working remotely, or even abroad, they can easily join and follow the event in real-time. The result? Expanded reach and greater participation.
2. Reduce logistical costs
Organizing an in-person event can be expensive: venue rental, travel expenses, accommodation, catering... With a hybrid format, you significantly reduce these costs. Fewer attendees on-site means fewer logistical expenses. By offering online participation for part of your staff, you free up budget while still providing a quality experience.
Now, we know what you're thinking—video capture equipment isn't free, and you're absolutely right. Depending on what you set up, the technical team and equipment to live stream the event will also come at a cost. But this budget is easier to optimize than venue, accommodation, and catering fees. On this topic, we have a dedicated article to help you create your live streaming budget with three levels of budgeting, from the most basic to the most advanced!
3. Increase accessibility and inclusivity
Not all your employees are always able to attend in-person events. Whether due to health issues, personal constraints, or professional obligations, the hybrid format removes these barriers. By offering the option to participate remotely, you ensure greater inclusivity and guarantee that everyone has access to essential information.
4. Reduce your environmental footprint (CSR)
Today, companies are expected to reduce their environmental impact. Hybrid events are a practical response to this issue. Fewer trips and fewer physical resources mean a reduced carbon footprint. By opting for a hybrid format, you demonstrate that your company is at the forefront of sustainable practices while meeting the expectations of employees and stakeholders.
Pro tip: From an ecological standpoint, the best practice is to go fully virtual, which can reduce event carbon emissions by up to 80%. But a hybrid format is already highly effective! Regarding this, we share our tips for improving the ecological impact of your events and making them more responsible in our article 7 Ways to Make Your Online Event More Sustainable.
5. Minimize no-shows
No-shows—when a registered participant fails to attend—are the nightmare of every event organizer. With a hybrid format, you offer more flexibility to your participants. If they can’t attend in person, they can still join remotely. The result? A higher participation rate and fewer wasted seats.
Now, we also anticipate the opposite effect: offering a video stream of your event might make participants feel there's no need to attend in person since they can comfortably watch from their couch. Don’t worry—we have the solution for that further down in the article.
6. Greater flexibility for unforeseen circumstances
Whether due to travel restrictions, new health regulations, or personal emergencies, a hybrid event can adapt. If some of your speakers can’t attend in person, they can always join the event online. This ensures continuity, even in the most unpredictable situations.
7. Easier access to external speakers
Bringing in speakers for in-person events can be complicated, or even expensive, especially if it involves travel. With the hybrid format, you can invite experts or personalities to join remotely, without the usual logistical constraints. This allows you to enhance the quality of your events while controlling costs.
8. Additional monetization and exclusive content
The hybrid format also offers monetization opportunities you may not have considered. You can offer premium access, exclusive content, training sessions, and other exclusive activities for your in-person participants. This creates a new revenue stream while enriching the participant experience.
Offering exclusive content and activities for in-person attendees is also a great way to encourage them to show up!
9. Maximize post-event impact
Unlike a 100% in-person event that ends when the doors close, a hybrid event can extend its impact. By recording sessions, you can replay them later for those who missed out or use them for internal training. This maximizes the lifespan of your event and allows you to derive benefits long after the day itself.
Conclusion
Shifting your in-person events to a hybrid format is no longer just an option; it's a smart response to modern internal communication challenges. By adopting this approach, you maximize the impact of your events while offering more inclusivity, flexibility, and sustainability. So why not take the leap and give your company the opportunity to achieve more with less?
Sparkup: Your partner for successful hybrid events
To fully benefit from hybrid events, it's essential to rely on the right technologies. Sparkup is an all-in-one solution designed to maximize the impact of your events with a unique interactive experience, for both in-person and online participants. With Sparkup, you can integrate features like live polls, quizzes, audience walls, and real-time chats to keep all participants engaged, regardless of how they’re attending.
Thanks to our high-quality, ultra-low latency streaming solution, remote participants can view content without lag and feel as involved as those on-site. Plus, Sparkup allows you to collect real-time data to analyze engagement, adjust your actions, and measure your events' impact. With Sparkup, you have all the tools you need to organize high-performance, interactive, and engaging hybrid events