In-person, hybrid, or virtual?

If you're thinking of organising an event, you've got to decide what kind of gathering you're aiming for. What determines their format? The key factor is where the attendees and speakers will be located - but not only that!

In-person event

This is the classic setup, where everyone gathers physically in one spot. There is no streaming or recording, and the only chance to engage with event content is by showing up at the venue. This setup is usually chosen for various reasons: to increase the event’s exclusivity or because of financial constraints (such as a low budget).

Michal’s recommendation: In-person event are the best when the value of networking is high.        

In-person event with hybrid elements

This option is becoming increasingly popular. While most attendees are physically present at the event venue, some, including attendees or speakers, join remotely. The organizer might share speeches online through live streaming on social media or a dedicated webpage/platform. However, even if the event is streamed, viewers usually can only listen without interacting or asking questions.

Michal’s recommendation: Simple hybrid elements a good option if you want to broaden your media reach or enhance brand awareness.        

Hybrid event

Here, both remote and in-person participation and interactions are available for both speakers and attendees. Remote participation should mirror the in-person experience, so choosing the right event software and having extra chat moderators is crucial. It's important to take care of the online participants, i.e., by including them in Q&A sessions or providing them with engaging activities during breaks (such as gamification or online speed dating).

Michal’s recommendation: It’s ideal for increasing impact and reducing the cost of popular events. The most challenging one - if you plan to organize one, call me :)        

Virtual event from the studio, or venue

This setup requires speakers to be physically present in the studio or venue while attendees join remotely. Since there's no live audience, online chat moderators are needed to facilitate interactions. It's beneficial to mix things up by having some speakers join remotely and some present in the studio or venue. Either way, always remember to schedule technical tests for the remote participants!

Michal’s recommendation: Best quality and reasonable for content recycling.        

Virtual event

In this scenario, everyone connects remotely - it's both the simplest and the most tricky at the same time :) It's worth mentioning that some events are "real live," while others are pre-recorded.

Michal’s recommendation: Best when the content of the lectures is important and experts are from all over the world - attendees just want to be more educated on specific topics (which is why webinars are so popular).