Author: Basilmin (Event Planer)
In this age of constant digital innovations and disruption with the future of events, the value of digital elements across the board has become evident. With continuous learning and development, digital activities have become ingrained in the fabric of humanity. However, it is vital, especially, in the age of information that brands and organisations lead […]
In this age of constant digital innovations and disruption with the future of events, the value of digital elements across the board has become evident. With continuous learning and development, digital activities have become ingrained in the fabric of humanity.
However, it is vital, especially, in the age of information that brands and organisations lead with a value over volume, to ensure that the communication going out to your audience is not only tailored to their needs but is also enticing
As the world continues to advance technologically, as digitalisation and disruption blaze the way forward for the next decade. It is critical for brands to adapt strategies around these areas now that will lead the way later.
Thriving brands are able to shift their thinking from static to dynamic. They are deliberately designed and intentionally built. Above all they create environments that enrich the lives of the audiences they wish to engage with.
By acting now and swiftly brands will be able to grow and retain their audiences, ensuring the future of their brand.
Hybrid events
As the economy slowly begins to gear up for the new normal with regards to the way events and conferences are run. Brands must rethink experiences beyond the traditional forms of mass gathering (Cook & Shepherdly, 2016).
As Jameson Hlongwane, Deputy MD of the VWV Group states: “Recalibrate and remind yourselves that experiential is a tactic, not a channel”. As event planners, it is up to us to find new and creative ways to engage with the audience on behalf of our clients through the future of events.
As the world and South Africa move from curated one on one experiences to interactive broadcasting and socially intensified strategies.
Hybrid the future of events that consolidate physical and digital experiences will be more relevant than ever.
The benefits of hybrid events
Hybrid events hold a number of advantages over the more traditional events. The largest and most apparent being the number of people or impressive reach that hybrid events provide (Nilsson,2020).
This is a result of the fact that event planners as well as the audiences are no longer confined to physical or geographic limitations, meaning an endless number of people are then able to attend.
This of cause from an organisational point of view is massive as hybrid events give a great return on investment (ROI), as they are cost-effective (Nilsson,2020). Hybrid events bring exponentially more eyeballs, attention and prospective customers to your events.
One way to think about this is instead of having several similar events you can either host one big event and host that nationwide or a series of different events that people can all attend and stream.
However, it is vital to know what hybrid the future of events are not, a true hybrid event will create the same experience for those streaming than it would for those who physically attend.
This is done through participation; those online are also able to participate in Q&A sessions as well as interact with the speaker whilst also engaging with fellow attendees.
The impact of hybrid events on South Africa
It goes without saying that the current pandemic has impacted our industry as a whole and the future of events, but also shown us that it is essential to remain relevant to the times. Technological advancements play a larger and more cohesive role not only in the present but in the long term future.
Fryatt et al. (2012b) as well as Morell (2010) both highlighted the importance that these events can have especially for the African continent.
They go on to draw attention to the possibility of using hybrid events as a way to reach an audience in different languages and repurposing the content to ensure that everyone is able to take part especially if they are not able to travel to the location.
To date we have seen that hybrid the future of events have been able to take away limitations such as travel restrictions or country borders. Further ensuring that brands are still able to reach their audience and stay connected.
Moving forward brands will need to utilise collaborations and harnessing the collective experience we’ve all shared as a result of the pandemic. It is vital that we all start thinking about the future of events and the circular economy and how work translates into day-to-day planning at the micro-level. Lastly brands and event managers will need to continue taking the necessary action needed in the face of overwhelming consequences through the future of events.
References
Cook, P. & Shepherdly, M. 2016. Remotely Engaging: How to reach new audiences by breaking out of the conference centre. 1 ed. s.l.: Amazon Fulfilment.
Fryatt, J. et al. 2012b. How to Guide: The Strategic Value of Virtual Meetings and Events, 2012: Meeting Professionals International.
Fryatt, J. et al. 2012c. Hybrid Meetings and Events, s.l.: MPI Foundation
Morell, K. 2010. How to use hybrid meetings to drive attendee engagement, s.l.: Meetings Today.
Nilsson, L. 2020. Hybrid Events: Breaking the Borders. Master´s thesis. LAB University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Business and Hospitality Management. [Cited 29.6.2020]. Available at: http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2020061618890
Contact Us at WeSpeak Global and follow us on Twitter
The articles, video and images embedded on these pages are from various speakers and talent.
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by WeSpeak Global.
This year I am participating in the One Foot Forward Challenge to raise money for Black Dog Institute. They bring together the strength of a medical research institute and a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by poor mental health. Their mission is to enable mentally healthier lives through innovations in […]
We are only as unified as our loneliest team or Disconnected Worker community members. No one is immune to feeling lonely at work—not even the outgoing top sales associate, the customer success representative that brings her dog into the office, or the charming vice president who always declines every happy hour invitation due to “overcommitments.” Entry-level […]
“How you see yourself determines what you see for yourself, Are You Externally or Internally Driven?.” Veli Ndaba – ‘The NeuroEngineer’ Self-esteem represents an overall evaluation of oneself – the extent to which one feels positively rather than negatively toward oneself – and views oneself as a person of value and worth. Contingent self-esteem is […]
Do you remember THE BAIT SWITCH DOES NOT WORK and the first time you were disappointed by a large organisation? My earliest memory of corporate greed (we all have those, right?) was what I recall being a few months after Smarties Mini Eggs were launched in South Africa. As a lifelong fan of the traditional […]
WeSpeak Global: Revolutionizing the World of Speaker Bureaus In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, the power of effective communication cannot be overstated. Whether it’s inspiring a team, educating an audience, or driving change, skilled speakers have the ability to captivate and motivate others. Recognizing this potential, WeSpeak Global has emerged as a prominent international speaker […]
Rebel technologists thrive when a couple of key environmental factors are in place The first thing is budget. Making sure that you can find the necessary budget to be able to instil these changes is an ideal starting point. If you aren’t working towards some kind of return on investment, somewhere along the line, why should […]
The most common question I am asked when I identify myself as a mountaineer is “Why take on a challenge?” From my education as a life coach, I’ve learnt that the neurology (the brain) doesn’t like the question “Why” very much – in fact the neurological reaction is to defend, justify or shut down. This […]
Leaders Mistake Hard Work to company growth, success or anything else. It may even lead to something on the other side of the spectrum, burnout or possibly even the end of a company or a career. Let me ask you something. Do you think companies (or careers) on the decline are working hard, or not? […]
Our Mission
© All rights reserved 2025. Created using VOXEL THEME
