10 Great Hybrid Event Trends For Organizers to Watch in 2023
What are hybrid events?
As the world adapts to a new normal following the COVID-19 pandemic, hybrid events are becoming increasingly popular. These events combine in-person and virtual elements to provide attendees with more flexibility and accessibility. If you’re an event organizer looking to stay ahead of the curve in 2023.
Ten hybrid event trends to keep an eye on.
Dynamic and immersive experiences
Personalized content and engagement
Gamification and interactivity
Multi-hub events
Enhanced safety measures
Hybrid sponsorships and partnerships
Remote networking and matchmaking
AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants
Sustainable event planning
Data-driven decision making
Dynamic and immersive experiences
In 2023, attendees will expect more than just a static presentation. They want to be fully immersed in the event, whether they’re attending in person or virtually. This means incorporating interactive elements like live polls, Q&A sessions, and breakout discussions. It also means using technology like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to create more engaging experiences.
Personalized content and engagement
Every attendee has unique interests and preferences. In 2023, event organizers will need to use data and analytics to create personalized experiences for each attendee. This could mean recommending sessions based on past attendance or using AI-powered matchmaking to connect attendees with others who share similar interests.
Gamification and interactivity
Gamification has been a popular trend in virtual events for a while now, but it’s starting to make its way into hybrid events as well. Attendees want to be engaged and entertained, and games and challenges can help achieve that. These can range from simple trivia contests to more complex scavenger hunts.
Multi-hub events
In 2023, hybrid events will go beyond just two locations. Multi-hub events will connect attendees from around the world, allowing for a truly global experience. This trend will require careful planning and coordination, but it has the potential to create unique and memorable events.
Enhanced safety measures
The COVID-19 pandemic has made safety a top priority for event organizers. In 2023, enhanced safety measures will continue to be important, even as vaccination rates increase. This could mean requiring masks and social distancing, providing on-site testing, or implementing contactless check-in and registration.
Hybrid sponsorships and partnerships
Hybrid events provide unique opportunities for sponsorships and partnerships. In 2023, event organizers will need to think creatively about how to leverage these opportunities. For example, sponsors could provide virtual swag bags or host their own virtual events.
Remote networking and matchmaking
One of the biggest challenges of hybrid events is networking. In 2023, event organizers will need to use technology to facilitate remote networking and matchmaking. This could mean using AI-powered matchmaking or creating virtual networking lounges.
AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants
AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants are becoming more sophisticated, and they have the potential to revolutionize the event experience. In 2023, we’ll see more event organizers using these tools to help attendees navigate the event and get answers to their questions.
Sustainable event planning
Sustainability has been a growing trend in the events industry for several years now. In 2023, event organizers will need to think more creatively about how to reduce the environmental impact of their events. This could mean using sustainable materials, reducing waste, or offsetting carbon emissions.
Data-driven decision making
As hybrid events become more popular, event organizers are looking for ways to make data-driven decisions to improve the attendee experience. Data can help organizers understand attendee behavior, track ROI, and make informed decisions about event programming and design.
