Well, here we are in 2022 and what we have learned is that more than ever we need to remain flexible and adaptive when it comes delivering content for meetings and conferences. Will we ever get back to a keynote speaker on a beautiful stage with state-of-the-art lighting and sound and a fired-up audience? The answer: YES! It is happening already, but a lot of events are and will continue to be hybrid as we move back to “normalcy”
Meanwhile, the pandemic has brought out the best in creative thinking and ways to flex in order to help the show go on.
Let us see, I can think of no less than a dozen descriptions that apply to the format for meetings taking place this year.
In-person live events
Live in-person virtual events
Hybrid events
Pre-recorded events
Events from speaker’s private studios
Events from other studios
Events from client’s sets
Events with masks
Events without masks
Socially distanced events
Events with on-site testing
Events with changing protocols
And there is more….
While there are tons of options, hybrid events seem to be emerging as a new standard that satisfies many of the current comfort levels when it comes to conference attendance. So, what does a meeting planner need to consider when hiring a professional speaker for a hybrid event?
We decided to address this question from two perspectives, interviewing speakers for their options and then interviewing meeting planners. The professional speakers we have selected are some of the best when it comes to churning out virtual content during the pandemic and they continue to be in demand for in-person live, in-person virtual, and hybrid events.
Mitch Savoie Hill, CPC is a consultant and expert in the area of Inclusive Leadership. Mitch is highly competent in offering both virtual and in person presentations. We interviewed Mitch about what she considers to be some of the most important skill sets for professional speakers delivering content in a hybrid environment and she offered these three audience engagement pointers that meeting planners should consider when facilitating a speaker at a hybrid event.
1. Be set up with a roving camera, multiple cameras, or wide-angle camera to allow for movement across the staged area.
Be sure that the speaker considers the camera placement ahead of time and ask the speaker to walk the span of the stage to understand space boundaries captured by the camera, and then ensure to stay within that boundary.
2. Consider audio carefully! It is vital in person but especially in a hybrid setting. The microphone should be well captured by the virtual platform so that sound is clear but ideally isolated to the sound of the speaker’s voice—aim for as little background noise as possible.
3. Have a moderator. Whenever possible have someone moderating the virtual chat so that the virtual audience can feel engaged. Make sure your speaker includes that virtual audience by encouraging them to participate through the chat or via the moderator. The speaker should speak directly to the camera at times so the virtual audience feels as if they are part of the presentation. Beware that this is a shift from how speakers normally deliver in a live setting or strictly via a pre-recorded video. It requires the speaker to work both the room and the camera, so you may need to do a little coaching before your speaker takes the stage. This takes practice if a speaker is not accustomed to that format. Done well, everyone feels engaged and the virtual audience finds value from the content and the energy of the presentation.
In addition to Mitch, we also turned to one of the nation’s premier keynote speakers on the topic of innovation, Josh Linkner, for some pointers and experiences about his hybrid events. Josh is in high demand for audiences large and small and he is one the nation’s most requested professional keynote speakers. He took time from his busy schedule to address four questions and make some predictions about the future of hybrid events.
Find out what his thoughts are here:
TKS: What elements do you like to see when you sign on to be a part of a hybrid event? In your opinion, what is the secret to a standout hybrid meeting?
Josh: It cannot just be a single stationary camera. Ideally, there are multiple camera angles which also capture the audience’s reactions. You do not want to minimize the event for virtual guests, so opportunities to engage them (Q+A, etc.) make them feel included as opposed to just passive viewers. Ditto the comments from Mitch Savoie Hill!
TKS:. What is the most memorable hybrid event you have been a part of? Why does it stand out?
Josh: I did an event in Atlanta for five thousand people in-person and another three thousand people remote. It was memorable because it showed that hybrid events are here to stay, even when people are comfortable traveling. Those three thousand people wanted to participate, but perhaps couldn’t make their schedules or budgets work. This provided access to more people, which in turn created more impact. It signified to me that COVID is not the only reason to host a hybrid event.
TKS: What can a hybrid event accomplish that a virtual event cannot?
Josh: First, the energy is different when a speaker is presenting to a live audience. We can deliver our art in a much more profound way when we see and feel the impact in real time. We can also use stage mechanics like gesture and choreography far better than in a studio. Further, people who are joining remotely feel like they are watching something special unfold in real time, much like a live sports event. Since virtual events could be pre-recorded, the energy is simply different. It is more like watching last week’s sporting event… it just does not have the same vibrancy of seeing something unfold live, in front of live guests.
TKS: Do you think hybrid events are here to stay?
Josh: Yes, absolutely. First we were all in-person. Then we were all virtual. I think Hybrid is the future, where in-person guests will still gather but the experience can be shared farther and wider using technology. It is a win-win.
We absolutely agree with Mitch and Josh that hybrid meetings are here to stay. Done well and featuring the right speakers, these events have the capacity to reach wider audiences than we were able to reach even pre-pandemic.
So, what do meeting planners consider most important about the logistics of hybrid meetings and do meeting planners think they are here to stay? Our next article will feature best practices and the forecast for hybrid events from the professional meeting planners’ point of view. Meanwhile, we would love to hear from our followers about best practices you have discovered for your hybrid meetings. Feel free to weigh in!
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Who are the most influential thought leaders in the business world? The Keynote Shop is a professional speaker bureau representing business experts who speak, business consultants who speak, motivational and inspirational speakers for conference openers, corporate entertainers, and celebrities for corporate appearances. We are a 100% woman-owned and woman-founded bureau for professional keynote speakers. Collectively we offer over 30 years of experience with matching professional speaking and entertainment talent with conferences and events. Need a negotiation speaker or sales speaker for your next event? Click here for a list of recommendations.
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Who are the most requested professional hybrid keynote speakers and hybrid corporate workshop leaders for 2022? Contact us at The Keynote Shop for recommendations and introductions to the highest-rated professional speakers. Our top picks include:
These are some of the premier thought leaders in the industry and they are prepared to guide your organization through these changing times. Contact Gina Davilla at gina@thekeynoteshop.com to reserve a date and book the absolute best professional speaker for your next meeting.
