Is your organization weighing options for immediate and future in-person events? Are you considering a hybrid experience? You are not alone.
SITE Texas recently hosted the “How to Hybrid” event which welcomed both virtual and in-person audiences. The event provided a well-rounded view of what events will look like in the immediate future, including a full virtual platform which hosted a live stream, the full gamut of audience engagement and networking solutions. In addition, several industry thought leaders participated, sharing short- and long-term trends, as well as, information on hotel preparedness and creativity.
SHORT TAKES: 5-MINUTE SPEAKER INTERVIEWS WITH THOM SINGER, SPEAKER & EMCEE
Shawn Pierce
President, Strategic Meetings, Events & Incentives
MCI Group USA
Shawn shares several hybrid components to consider based on research and trends including how to educate, engage, and inform both viewing audiences.
Tammy McCormick, CMP
Director, Business Development/ Partner
ACCESS DMC (Austin/San Antonio)
Tammy shares how DMC’s will provide the necessary equipment and safety strategies during live events to ensure the latest industry-standards are implemented.
Mark White
CEO and Co-Founder
MW2 Solutions
Mark discusses the importance of having a concise event promotional strategy, and using social media and direct email campaigns, to amplify the message and provide increased excitement and attendee engagement.
Lorraine Mahoney, CITP
President-Elect of SITE Texas
Global Account Manager, Global Sales, Marriott
Lorraine shares her takeaways and important success strategies, including having unique audience engagement and timing tactics, dynamic speakers, and a virtual engagement web platform.
SITE TEXAS TOP 5 LEARNER OUTCOMES:
- Importance of having a Content & Engagement Strategy for both Virtual and In-person audiences.
- Engage an Audio Video technical partner who excels in the delivery and production of a multi-faceted speaker engagement experiences including, pre-recorded video, in-person stage and/or audience production, off location studio and/or home.
- Create a detailed Communication Strategy to promote, execute and perpetuate engagement during all event phases (Pre, Live, Post).
- Anticipate additional staffing requirements for the virtual portion including monitoring all elements of the online dashboard, approving image uploads, speaker questions, gamification leaderboard, Q&A, chat rooms, tech support and more. For the in-person portion, extra staffing will be needed for COVID required precautions.
- Follow up with any questions from the online platform not answered during the live event.
