How to Extend Your In-Person Event Outside the Limits of Time and Space

In?our last article, we talked about how a digital content hub can be used by associations to drive pre-event engagement. Today, we'll cover how you can use the platform to driver increased participation for in-person events.

Many associations learned over the course of the pandemic how digitizing their events can reach audience and member segments they may never have interacted with before. Virtual events can engage members who otherwise would not be able to attend an in-person annual meeting.

As in-person events return to some semblance of normal, a digital content hub allows associations to hybridize their events to get the best of both worlds and thus maximize member participation.

What is a digital content hub??

A?digital content hub?(sometimes referred to as a “knowledge hub” or “resource library”) is a fully branded, interactive platform on your association’s website that showcases curated, thought-leadership content from sponsors. The content is free for association members but requires a form completion for members to download the content. Members get access to a steady stream of high-demand resources, sponsors get intent-based leads for business development, and associations earn incremental revenue.

The digital platform is flexible enough to allow associations to use it as a virtual headquarters for their events.

The benefits of hybrid events

Associations can use their digital resource library as a one-stop portal for members not attending the live event to access real-time video streams of educational sessions. The footage of sessions and keynotes can also be archived for members on-site but unable to attend all the sessions they desire.

Hybrid events can also drive incremental event revenue. For example, live video streams of event sessions can be tucked behind a paywall for virtual attendees to access at a reduced cost, or possibly even pay for individual sessions on an à la carte basis.

Using a virtual tradeshow platform, event sponsors can set up virtual booths to showcase their own thought-leadership content, marketing collateral, and even interact with virtual attendees.??

Your white-labeled digital resource library, accessible to members through your association’s website, can be the single, centralized access point for remote members.

Follow us on LinkedIn for upcoming articles. In our next installment we'll cover how some associations are using their digital content hub to extend the shelf life of their event-related content.