Guest Post: Ernie Smith, Associations Now
Associations are facing a transition phase where most meeting planners have to consider in-person attendees and virtual viewers. To serve everyone well, don’t fall into the trap of hosting both versions simultaneously, and lean on the community.
Quietly and without much notice, hybrid events that mixed in-person and virtual elements were already a growing trend before the pandemic. Now, as associations plan for events amid a COVID-19 vaccine rollout that will eventually make in-person gatherings possible again, even organizations that might have initially eschewed a hybrid approach will likely need one.
Sarah Michel, CSP, vice president of professional connexity for Velvet Chainsaw Consulting, says that for many associations, it probably won’t be realistic to record all sessions and present them simultaneously online.
“The biggest obstacle people are really facing is the cost,” she says, noting that this tactic is tantamount to putting on two events at the same time. “Suddenly now we’ve got to stream everything—we’ve got to stream the main room experience, we got to do the breakout sessions? There’s just no physical way.”
