Open Forum

Hello all, let's start the next Huddle of the Week discussion!

The value of face-to-face interaction is making its way back into the event industry while virtual continues to be a necessary part of your event program. Today it's more important than ever to prove the value of content and have people attend the in-person portion of your event, when you are also offering a virtual option, by offering special networking opportunities, educational sessions, and gathering attendee insights.

Hosting a virtual event requires the same care and attention as an in-person event. In both cases, you need to craft an event strategy to effectively promote the event, engage your attendees, create memorable moments for attendees, and prove event success.
With that in mind:

• How do you ensure people still attend the in-person portion and prove the value when you're offering a virtual option?

Let us know your thoughts and expectations below! #HuddleoftheWeek #VoiceIt
#ManagingVirtualEvents

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Megha Jetley
Assistant Manager
Cvent Marketing Department
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• How do you ensure people still attend the in-person portion and prove the value when you're offering a virtual option?

Strong content, a topic that attendees are interested in, and assuring social distancing is taking place. Providing plenty of sanitation stations, pre-wrapped food, servers, and sanitizing through out the event.
The virtual option could feed the masses that dont have a budget or time to get to the vunue but would like to participate in the event.

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Mary Ann Hall
Event Specialist
Federal Reserve System
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Hello Megha, 

The in person portion offers more networking opportunities, including city tours and activities that you cannot carry out in the virtual piece. The virtual portion has value, as you receive the same technical content and can connect with other attendees virtually. However, you miss some of the in-person interactivity and therefore the fee to attend virtually is cheaper as well as the money you save on travel and accommodation. 

Therefore each option has a something positive you would miss on the other. 

Hope this helps, Laura

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Laura Maestro
CSE
Nexia International
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• How do you ensure people still attend the in-person portion and prove the value when you're offering a virtual option?

I think that attendees are looking forward to being back in-person, so that motivation will help spark their interest. But to "seal the deal", being transparent about health and safety protocols will be key for future events, as well as providing "in-person" only experiences such as networking, exhibitor halls, etc. For virtual, ensuring that attendees can still participate in the key sessions will at least help them feel like they are a part of the experience, albeit virtually.

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Bouran Qaddumi
National Field Trainer
Cajun Operating Company d/b/a Church's Chicken
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When organizing Hybrid events one of the main motivation for people to join in person is to offer hands on experience, supported by the networking opportunities.
For virtual to join the hands on content, we need to offer an streamed connection and allow people to share audio and video. In this scenario, availability should be limited and we need to promote the value of the content.

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Maria Pedrosa
EMEA Event Manager
W.L. Gore & Associates
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-24-2021 09:01
From: Bouran Qaddumi
Subject: When hosting a hybrid event, how do you prove the value and ensure people attend the in-person portion when you're offering a virtual option?

• How do you ensure people still attend the in-person portion and prove the value when you're offering a virtual option?

I think that attendees are looking forward to being back in-person, so that motivation will help spark their interest. But to "seal the deal", being transparent about health and safety protocols will be key for future events, as well as providing "in-person" only experiences such as networking, exhibitor halls, etc. For virtual, ensuring that attendees can still participate in the key sessions will at least help them feel like they are a part of the experience, albeit virtually.

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Bouran Qaddumi
National Field Trainer
Cajun Operating Company d/b/a Church's Chicken
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We are not currently doing any in-person or hybrid events, but there is so much value in face-to-face networking that if we were... we would be promoting that value. Perhaps even dangle a carrot for in-person attendance that is not offered for the virtual version, such as door prizes and continuing education credit.

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Lori Wildman
Senior Marketing Manager
DuCharme, McMillen & Associates, Inc.
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Hello, 

The in-person event offers a different type of experience compared to the online version. The content itself has longer, more hands-on/intensive sessions. as for the organic pluses such as networking in the hallways, going out for dinner at a nice restaurant, having spouses and children come as guests etc, these are things that are of course not available with a virtual event. One specific thing we do is have our Welcome Reception be free for guests. 

Best,

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Béline FALZON
Conference Program Specialist II
California Teachers Association
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More networking, can offer some really in-demand type sessions in person only to try and put the pressure on people to attend.

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Rachel
NJ
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