We certainly live in a different world than we did at the dawn of 2020, and many of the events that organizations planned were either cancelled or changed radically. Now that we know some of what to expect in a pandemic, many event planners are moving forward and looking toward the next year.
However, will it be business as usual for event organisers?
Getting back to normal will take some time, and event planning will look very different in the interim. Expect more sophisticated virtual participations, smaller satellite events instead of larger gatherings, and people carefully examining the return on investment from attending.
Before the Coronavirus pandemic, virtual conferencing was an afterthought due to the lack of human interaction. However, hybrid events are becoming a popular way of conducting events without jeopardising the safety of guests. Hybrid events enable a small group to attend a face-to-face discussion and involve a larger audience through multiple digital channels. Apart from enhancing the experience of virtual conferences, they provide global outreach. Guests from around the globe can convene and listen to the round table discussions from experts and can also contribute and interact with other invitees.
Remember, virtual and hybrid events still need event venues.
Just because an event is virtual or hybrid doesn’t necessarily mean event venues are out of luck. The visual element of a virtual or hybrid event is an important part of the whole experience. When filming the event, the camera will be zooming in and out and capturing the background — so the venue will be a part of the viewer experience no matter what. While planners might not be looking for an overly lavish and spacious venue for an event that’s strictly virtual, they still need to find a venue with the basics to give the broadcast a polished feel. When it comes to hybrid events, the venue becomes all the more important, because attendees will actually be physically gathering in your space.
At Spalba, our digital twin technology creates an immersive virtual replica (digital twin) of your space that can be visited by anyone across the world.
Venues can be viewed in their true form in the form of a digital clone, which is basically a 4K model of the venue, allowing for a better sense of the space and in turn, a better event experience.
Various layout options are available for appropriate venue selection. This facilitates choosing suitable spaces and layouts as per the event venue goals, allowing for higher attendee engagement and better overall experience of the event.
“With Hyatt’s name and it’s global policy on their commitment, having two associates on-ground as property well-being and hygiene trainer makes a lot of difference”, explains Parinita Samanta, Director of Marketing and Communications for Hyatt Regency when asked about the safety protocols in place for the patron’s safety.
As we wait for the dust to settle, we must realise that it will take some time before the Event and Experience Industry re-sets its direction. Whatever that direction may be, virtually driven experiences that are technologically-abled will play a major role in defining the future of the events.