Whether you loved them or not, there's no denying that hybrid and virtual meetings were a lifeline during COVID-19. According to one statistic, between 2020 and 2022 use of virtual meetings grew from 48% to 77%.
But our world looks different now. The dangers of COVID have subsided and employees are returning to the physical workplace. So the question arises: Are hybrid and virtual meetings still relevant or are they a thing of the past?
Unlike social distancing, there is no reason to believe that hybrid or virtual meetings will phase out. One LinkedIn survey of 200 companies found that 72% said that they would continue holding virtual events long term.
Ever heard of a money jar where you regularly put in a few coins or small bills? Imagine, instead of saving a few dollars here and there, you are regularly saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Whether you are having a small business meeting or a large conference, holding a hybrid or a virtual meeting reduces or even eliminates costs such as:
Time is the great equalizer. Virtual meetings are nearly 100% time efficient. Any time spent is on the meeting itself and not on travel and set up.
If you decide to hold your meeting face-to-face, consider adding a virtual tie-in to create a hybrid meeting. This allows you to reach:
Those who are unsure - One study found that 96% of virtual attendees said they would not have attended if there was no virtual option.
Those who want to attend but cannot - Virtual meetings are incredibly accessible and give almost everyone the same opportunity to attend no matter the circumstances.
Virtual and hybrid events can offer more diverse and engaging content than live-only events.
Expanded speaker options - Bring in speakers from all over the world without travel expenses.
More interactive activities - Attendees can participate in virtual breakout sessions, collaborate on digital whiteboards, or engage in online polls and surveys.
Being adaptable is essential to keeping your business moving forward, come what may. Going virtual allows you to hold important meetings, conferences, or events no matter what comes up.
Nearly 50% of employees currently work remotely. This is a massive shift from even just 5 years ago. Audiences have shifted their needs and we need to adapt.
Hybrid and virtual meetings open up ways to connect and interact that aren't possible with face-to-face meetings.
Deliver More Content - Screen share, present slides and videos, conduct surveys and polls.
Drive Engagement - Q&As, networking opportunities, gamification.
Gather Data Insights - Use matchmaking data and trackable metrics to measure engagement.
Face-to-face meetings lock you into a specific place and time. Virtual meetings, however, allow you to reach people from any part of the globe, in any time zone.
Less than 15% of the world speaks English as a first or second language. Virtual meetings make interpretation and translation more affordable.
This 7-point list is by no means exhaustive. Virtual meetings are predicted to keep increasing.
Would you like an extra hand in mitigating issues like technology problems, Zoom fatigue, or keeping attendees focused? Our team has spent decades in the virtual event space. We know what works and what doesn't.
Shoot us a message and let us help make your next event one for the books.