As live events make a comeback, numerous companies and organizations are veering away from hosting hybrid events. Given the extra costs and efforts involved in planning hybrid events, it may seem like a tempting item to eliminate from the event agenda and budget. However, before making a decision, let’s delve deeper into the matter.
At the Northwest Event Show in March, our Executive Director, Lisa Schulteis, delivered an insightful presentation titled “The Great Debate: Live vs. Hybrid vs. Virtual Events.” Here are some key takeaways from her talk:
Benefits of Hybrid Events
- Increased accessibility and flexibility for attendees
- Higher attendance
- Increased engagement
- Data collection from the platform
- Greater reach
What to consider…
- Target Audience / Industry
- Budget: Both Attendees & Yours
- Event Goals
- Attendee Expectations
Disadvantages of Hybrid Events
- Technical Difficulties
- Cost
- Audience Engagement
- Communication Challenges
- Logistics
The Big Reveal – Looking at the Data
During her session, Lisa presented four distinct case studies showcasing hybrid events organized by her team at ElectraLime in the past year. The data revealed a significant number of virtual (remote) attendees for each event. Let’s take a closer look at the numbers:
| Industry | Total Attendees | Virtual Attendees | % Virtual |
| Medical | 188 | 111 | 66% |
| Environmental Association | 442 | 215 | 48.6% |
| Coach / Membership | 1922 | 1302 | 67.7% |
| Association | 13658 | 6799 | 49% |
Considering these statistics, would you be willing to forgo 48 – 68% of your attendees by hosting a live-only event?
Looking to delve deeper into the points mentioned above? Gain comprehensive insights by watching the complete presentation below.
