Company events can be a great way to build morale and bring employees together, but they can also be expensive to put on. A lot goes into an event, such as the food and drinks to the entertainment.
The shape of events is changing, however. Due to the pandemic and the rise of remote working, in-person company events aren’t as common, and many companies prefer virtual events due to their affordable costs.
The thing is though, virtual conferences can be a bit boring and isolated. A preferred alternative on the right occasion can be hybrid events, which are described as a mix of in-person and online elements, making them more affordable than traditional events but more interactive than fully virtual events.
According to research by Markletic, hybrid events will continue to become common since 34% of event organizers expect to invest more in hybrid events in the next few years. So to help you out, here’s our guide to 11 useful interactive tools for hybrid events.
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The Significant Role of Tools in Hybrid Events
Virtual events often lack interactivity and the dynamics of traditional in-person conferences. Additionally, not everyone may be comfortable with attending an event online. Technical difficulties, disorganisation, and lack of participation can also contribute to the failure of virtual events. You can prepare for the former by utilising business continuity management strategies.
Another problem with online events is that they can become awkward quite quickly. You want to make sure that everyone is having a good time and interacting with one another, but this can be difficult when people are not in the same room.
Hybrid events with the addition of interactive tools can become a solution for disorganized and awkward conferences. There are various interactive tools that you can use to make your hybrid event more engaging and run seamlessly. In this article, we’re going to break down ten interactive tools for hybrid events that’ll turn your meetings from drab to fab.
To learn more about how to increase engagement at hybrid events, make sure to read our expert guide here!
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Interactive Tools You Need For Your Hybrid Event
Interactive tools can change an event from a passive experience to an engaging one. By using tools like polls and quizzes, you can get your attendees involved in the event and keep them entertained.
1. Gather
Gather is a web-conferencing software but with actual virtual rooms. It allows users to move around the space, customize their offices, and interact with participants like how they would in real life.
What makes this a fun platform is the customization features and game-like visuals. If you’re looking for a fun web conferencing app to add to your hybrid event, Gather is the way to go. This platform has been around for a while and has even been used for distance learning.
According to a study, students who participated in the experiment enjoyed using the app for lessons and felt they could interact more freely. They considered it the best alternative for learning in the Covid-19 pandemic.
2. Google Meet
Google Meet is a video conferencing tool that’s excellent for hybrid events. It has various features such as screen sharing, group chat, and virtual backgrounds.
One of the best things about Google Meet is that it’s free to use and has a longer time limit than conferencing tools like Zoom. This is your tool if you’re looking for an affordable way to host your hybrid event.
3. GoBrunch
Hosting a hybrid event requires you to have top-of-line streaming equipment. But, if you don’t have the budget for that, there’s no need to worry.
GoBrunch is a live streaming service that doesn’t require any fancy equipment. All you need is a laptop and an internet connection. This makes it perfect for small hybrid events or events on a budget because they allow users to have up to 120 participants, making them an excellent tool for webinars.
4. Glisser
Glisser is one of the world’s leading virtual and hybrid event platforms. Their primary focus is on audience interaction, so you can ensure that your attendees will have a stellar time and stay engaged.
A few benefits of this platform are that it allows attendees to take notes digitally, access slide decks, access on-demand content, and interact with presentations in real-time.
5. Swapcard
Swapcard is an event and community platform for virtual, hybrid, and in-person conferences using end-to-end technology. Look no further if you’re looking for a hassle-free platform for your hybrid event.
They offer a wide range of features such as in-person and online registration, AI-powered networking, a mobile app, live Q&A for hybrid audiences, and indoor mapping and way-finding.
6. Mentimeter
What’s a company event without presentations? Slides are excellent for presenting essential talking points and announcements, but they can become boring, especially if the audience isn’t engaged.
Mentimeter is a great tool to help engage your audience. With Mentimeter, you can insert questions and polls into your presentation and have your audience answer them in real-time. This is a great way to get feedback from your attendees and keep them tuned in during the presentation.
In a case study by Slido, the use of polls in a fully virtual meeting resulted in the most interactive events of the year. This proves that polls can add interactivity to your event and keep the participants engaged while attending the event online or offline.
7. Jackbox
Looking for a fun way to break the ice? Jackbox Games is a video game developer that makes a variety of party games.
They have an extensive array of games you can choose from. These games are perfect for icebreakers and team-building.
8. Eventmobi
If you want a more experienced platform, Eventmobi is the way to go. They’ve been in the event management niche for over a decade and have been used by many businesses, agencies, and associations.
You can use Eventmobi for various conferences such as product launches, roadshows, company retreats, sales kick-offs, board meetings, or even annual conferences.
9. Slack
Slack is a messaging app that’s perfect for hybrid events. It allows you to communicate with your attendees in real-time, which is great for getting feedback or answering questions.
In addition to messaging, Slack also has various tools that you can use for hybrid events. There’s the voice and video call feature, which is perfect for small group discussions. You can also share files, create channels, and set up reminders. Not to mention, their GIF collection is extensive and can add some comedy to your event.
10. Bizzabo
Bizzabo is an end-to-end platform that helps you plan, promote, and measure your events. They have a wide range of features such as on-site guest event check-ins, attendee networking, live polling, and Q&A.
This platform is excellent for hybrid events because it provides event management with a command centre, segments your audience, optimises registration, and keeps your events organised.
11. SCOOCS
SCOOCS is a hybrid event tool where you can easily create and manage engaging and immersive online event experiences. Their white-label event app is designed to give attendees freedom; freedom to enjoy a premier hybrid event experience on the go. Plus, what makes SCOOCS such a special platform is the possibility to build your private branded social network that allows your attendees to showcase themselves and their experience like never before, as well as provide superb networking opportunities.
12. Troop Messenger
Troop Messenger is an online platform that allows you to instant message, hold audio and video calls, group chat, share multiple files, and share your screen with participants. Their easy-to-use platform is great for interactive events where you want attendees to feel involved and share their thoughts, as well as chat with other participants.
The big plus is that it can help guests feel close together, even though some are far apart.
13. Canapii
Canapii is an award-winning event platform for virtual, hybrid, and in-person events. Canapii’s event software helps event planners run successful hybrid events, with its’ features keeping attendees engaged, informed, and connected at all times.
Canapii’s event software offers a wide range of features from event registration, gamification, live streaming, and live translation to mobile event apps and more. This software has everything you need to deliver an unforgettable hybrid event experience.
Wrapping Up
Hybrid events can be challenging to plan, but they can be a success with the right tools. The key is to find the right platform that fits your needs. With the right platform, you can engage your audience, no matter where they are.
When choosing an interactive tool, it’s essential to consider the size of your event, your budget, and the level of engagement you’re hoping to achieve. You can choose the perfect platform for your hybrid event with these factors in mind. For instance, pharma brands use HCP engagement tools to get better engagement.
And finally, to pull off the best hybrid event, you’re going to need a terrific venue. That’s where we can help. Sourcing the most exciting corporate venues is our thing, so use our intuitive filter system, or ask one of our experts to find exactly what you’re looking for!
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