All credits to the hybrid, but the live model rocks

To overcome the rules of isolation and limitations of gatherings, event managers who have so far organized live events have been forced to switch to online models.

After the restrictions backed down, some event companies decided to keep this format of events, while others immediately returned to the old (live) format – and the third kept both models. Thus was born a hybrid model that takes place simultaneously live with a limited number of participants and online with an almost unlimited number.

In our latest Vox Populi survey, we asked respondents which models they prefer and why.

Everyone loves live interaction

The majority of respondents stated that they prefer the live model of the event over any other, so it’s not surprising that in the last six months, the majority of respondents (76%) attended an organized event – in live.

When asked what the benefits of live events are, the most common answer was related to physical contact and what that contact brings: a special experience and feeling, interaction, involvement and socializing.

On the other hand, its shortcomings are manifested in the consequences of a pandemic (fear of infection), loss of time to arrive and costly and long organization. However, the advantages seem to refute the disadvantages, as 73% of respondents said they plan to attend a live event in the next three months.

Where’s the food?

Almost all respondents (97%) believe that online events aren’t better than live events. However, they mentioned many advantages of this model, such as: the comfort of home, saving time on departures and arrivals, easy tracking of the number of participants, greater focus on content, and simplicity and speed when organizing events.

What is an advantage of the online model is the disadvantage of the live model – and vice versa! The main disadvantages of online events mentioned by our respondents were: lack of informal socializing in breaks and interactions, lack of physical contact and food (!), and technical difficulties regarding the (in)quality of the Internet. Still, 55% of respondents plan to attend some online event in the next three months.

What is the future of events?

The future somehow imposed itself with the birth of a hybrid model. Why deny participants the advantages of both models, when we can simply give them the opportunity to choose the format that suits them best?

The hybrid model is the model that needs yet to shine because although 66% of respondents have heard of such a model, only a little more than half of the respondents (58%) know what it is all about. Most respondents have never attended a hybrid model because they prefer live events.