Event Communities for Your Hybrid Events – It’s Time
What are Event Communities ?
Event communities are online spaces where event participants can connect, share and build relationships before, during and after the event. They are the hub of engagement where attendees can network, discuss topics of interest and access event content. They are key to feeling part of the community and continuity.
For hybrid events which combine in-person and virtual elements, event communities are critical. They bridge the gap between physical and digital attendees so everyone can participate fully, no matter where they are. This inclusivity makes the overall event experience better and the audience more connected and engaged.
Why Event Communities are Important in Hybrid Events ?
Building online event communities has become a big trend in recent years. They support in-person events but also stand alone and grow in participation and revenue. They provide continuous engagement which is critical in today’s event landscape.
Traditional events have always been reliable on attendance and revenue. But adding online communities adds more value by more opportunities for interaction and engagement. This hybrid approach keeps events relevant and appealing to a wider audience and ultimately more successful.
What to Expect ?
This article will cover the benefits of event communities, what makes a successful event community, how to create engaging content and how to keep your audience engaged. We will also look at examples and case studies to bring it to life. Finally we will look to the future of event communities and a call to action for event organisers.
By reading this article event organisers can create lively, engaging and successful hybrid events for both in-person and virtual attendees.
Benefits of Event Communities
Bigger and Broader Audiences in the Virtual World
One of the biggest benefits of event communities is they can attract a bigger and more diverse audience. Virtual platforms remove geographical boundaries so people from all over the world can participate. This inclusivity not only increases attendance but also brings more perspectives and ideas to the event.
Plus online communities can continue to grow after the event is over. Participants can stay connected, share experiences and discuss ongoing. This extended engagement keeps the interest and excitement going and leads to more participation in future events.
More Engagement in a More Competitive World
In today’s competitive event landscape keeping attendees engaged is harder than ever. Event communities provide a solution by having multiple touchpoints for interaction. From live chats and discussion forums to Q&A and polls, these platforms keep participants engaged throughout the event.
More engagement not only improves the attendee experience but also increases the chances of achieving event goals like lead gen, brand awareness and knowledge sharing. By creating a sense of community event organisers can create a more memorable and impactful event.
Building Communities that Last
Event communities are not just for the event duration; they are long term assets. By nurturing these communities event organisers can build long term relationships with their audience. This ongoing engagement creates a loyal and dedicated following which is gold for future events.
Building lasting communities also gives valuable insights into attendee preferences and behaviour. This data can be used to tailor future events to the needs and expectations of the audience and therefore continued success and growth.
What Makes a Successful Event Community
Live Streaming
Live streaming is a key component of successful event communities. It allows virtual attendees to experience the event in real-time and creates a sense of urgency and excitement. High quality live streams with interactive features like live chats and Q&A can really enhance the virtual attendee experience.
By live streaming event organisers can reach a wider audience and provide a more inclusive experience. This is especially important for hybrid events where the goal is to create a seamless experience for both in-person and virtual attendees.
On-Demand Video
On-demand video is another key feature of successful event communities. It allows attendees to access event content at their leisure so they don’t miss out on sessions or presentations. This is especially valuable for international attendees in different time zones.
By providing on-demand video the event extends its life. Attendees can revisit content, share it with others and continue to engage with the event long after it’s over. This ongoing engagement keeps the interest and drives participation in future events.
Networking & Meeting Scheduling
Networking is one of the top reasons people attend events and successful event communities facilitate this by having robust networking and meeting scheduling tools. These features allow attendees to connect with each other, schedule meetings and build relationships.
Good networking tools can include attendee directories, matchmaking algorithms and virtual meeting rooms. By having these features event organisers can enhance the networking experience and ensure attendees get the most out of the event.
Content for Event Communities
Customised Agendas
Customised agendas are key to keeping attendees engaged and getting the most out of the event. By allowing participants to create their own schedules based on their interests and preferences event organisers can provide a more relevant and interesting experience.
Customised agendas can include recommended sessions, workshops and networking opportunities. This tailored approach makes attendees feel more connected to the event and increases overall satisfaction.
Interactive Participation
Interactive participation is key to a dynamic event community. Features like live polls, Q&A and discussion forums get attendees to participate and share their thoughts and opinions.
Interactive elements not only enhance the attendee experience but also provide valuable feedback for event organisers. This feedback can be used to improve future events and make sure they meet the needs and expectations of the audience.
Gamification
Gamification is a great way to increase engagement and motivation within event communities. By adding game-like elements such as points, badges and leaderboards event organisers can create a fun and competitive environment that encourages participation.
Gamification can be applied to many parts of the event from session attendance and discussion participation to networking and meeting scheduling. It makes the event more enjoyable and drives higher levels of engagement and interaction.
Reach Your Audience
Get More Sponsor Exposure
Getting more sponsor exposure is key to any event’s success. Event communities provide many opportunities for sponsors to connect with attendees and showcase their products and services. From virtual booths and sponsored sessions to branded content and ads there are many ways to increase sponsor visibility.
By offering exposure opportunities event organisers can attract more sponsors and generate more revenue. This in turn funds the event and ensures its long term success.
In-app Notifications
In-app notifications are a great way to keep attendees informed and engaged during the event. These notifications can be used to remind participants of upcoming sessions, announce important updates and share relevant content.
By providing timely and relevant information in-app notifications make sure attendees don’t miss out on anything important. This feature also enhances the overall attendee experience and keeps them active.
User Emailing
User emailing is a powerful tool to communicate with event attendees. By sending targeted and personalised emails event organisers can keep participants informed and engaged before, during and after the event.
Good email communication can include event updates, personalised agendas and follow-up surveys. This builds a strong relationship with attendees and keeps them engaged with the event community.
Case Studies and Examples
Case Study: An Event App for Medical Associations
One example of a successful event community is an event app for medical associations. This app was a platform for healthcare professionals to connect, share knowledge and access event content. The app had live streaming, on-demand video and networking tools which increased attendee experience.
The app was a huge success with high levels of engagement and positive feedback from participants. By providing a full and interactive platform the event organisers created a lively and engaged community of healthcare professionals.
Academic Ambiance
Another example is an event community to enhance the academic atmosphere of academic conferences. This platform had features such as personalised agendas, interactive participation and gamification which created a dynamic and engaging environment for attendees.
The platform was a success with increased participation and positive feedback from attendees. By creating a sense of community and providing engagement opportunities event organisers created a memorable and impactful academic conference.
An App for Your Business Event
For business events an app can be a game changer. One example is an app for a corporate conference which had live streaming, on-demand video and networking tools. These features created a seamless and engaging experience for in-person and virtual attendees.
The app was a success with high levels of engagement and positive feedback from participants. By providing a full and interactive platform the event organisers created a lively and engaged community of business professionals.
Key Takeaways
In summary event communities are key to hybrid events. They provide a platform for continuous engagement, attract larger and more diverse audiences and enhance the overall attendee experience. Live streaming, on-demand video and networking tools are key components of a successful event community.
Creating engaging content such as personalised agendas, interactive participation and gamification is important to keep attendees engaged. Maximize sponsor exposure, provide in-app notifications and communicate through centralised user emailing are important to engage your audience.
Event Communities Future
The future of event communities is bright, more growth and innovation to come. As technology advances event organisers will have more tools and features to create engaging and interactive event communities. The hybrid event model will become more common with online communities playing a bigger role.
By staying ahead of the curve and continuously improving their event communities organisers will ensure the long term success and relevance of their events. The key is to create a seamless and inclusive experience for all attendees wherever they are.
Get Started
Now is the time to build and grow your event communities for your hybrid events. Follow the steps in this article to create lively, engaging and successful event communities for in-person and virtual attendees.
Start now by reviewing your current event community strategy and see where you can improve. With the right approach you can create a booming event community that drives participation, engagement and success for your hybrid events.
