What happens when people meet?

They talk, understand each other, mirror their emotions, pick up hidden messages and even express their ideas better when the communication is face-to-face. In short, all of this means simply one thing- when people meet, they build trust.

Since it was long believed that physical presence is a must to have a meaningful talk, post-pandemic when virtual meets kicked in they were not welcomed by a certain section. Whether it was about the internal meetings, or event engagements like webinars, or roundtables, there was a sense of mistrust for virtual gatherings. Though the online events allowed organizations to connect and build relationships with the introduction of the internet or even telephone lines, depending solely on them was a sort of panic situation for many.

Saying that the transition to online events was smooth would be underestimating the fears of event managers because while the anticipations were high - the expectations in terms of returns were low.

But the bubble busted, and thankfully in a good way.

Technology once again proved to be a saviour and made virtual meets a desirable component- not just during the pandemic but also now; when things are back to normal and in-person engagements are making a return.

What do we call it - oh yes, Hybrid!

The hybrid working model has been the talk of the town since the pandemic has shrunk a little. The crowd is returning to offices and the in-person events as well. But that doesn't mean, virtual-gatherings are going anywhere. Hybrid events, which include both the components in one meeting at times, are becoming the new favourite. Why?

Well because online events blur the longitude-latitude issues. A person sitting in Bengaluru can be a part of a roundtable happening in Delhi and share insights and ideas seamlessly. Plus, online events are cost-effective and easily accessible promptly. That's why the audience also finds the hybrid event more convenient and interactive. In addition, for those who still find in-person meets more meaningful, hybrid lends that personal touch, taking away the uncertainty and making the event successful.

However, the key to the co-existence of any two systems lies in balancing the attributes so that the best can be leveraged. The same goes for hybrid offerings.

Creating high-impact live experiences, either on-stage or on zoom, require long-term planning and management. It's more than streaming or creating in-person content. To create a standalone experience that delivers the right message across the screen and table, the execution has to be truly effective in terms of budget, technology, organization, and audience perspective.

Another crucial point is to keep distractions and disasters at bay. They are everywhere and in different forms. The simplest way to keep your audience and speakers hooked to the agenda, is by offering them what they need and how they need it.

Undeniably, the harmonious existence of online and in-person engagement has infused a new life in the event-organizing world. For me, whether it is a virtual meeting or in-person meeting, or both, the core is communication. How well the messages are conveyed and received determines whether the offering has been a success or got lost among a plethora of other connecting lines.

Single Image