As technology develops, so do new windows of opportunity. For meeting and event planners, being cost effective at every avenue is a key function, and travel costs are often one of the biggest expenses to mitigate.
However, connecting individuals, spreading new ideas, and creating shared experiences have never been easier. Often referred to as “hybrid meetings,” these events cater to some portion of the audience that is not physically in the room, and they come in a few different flavors.
Call-In: Often a fit for corporate board-room meetings, remote members dial the provided conference phone number and receive an audio feed from the point of origin. If planned in advance, open communication between in-person & callers is also possible. Generally, a quick and easy substitute for in-person meetings, when no visual aids are required.
Webcast: This is one-to-many communication often used for keynotes, business updates, or other programming intended for larger audiences. Various platforms can accommodate this to different extents, and include options for audio and video feeds (including cameras, videos, graphics…etc.), as well as other user features including Q&A windows, custom branding, and more. Facebook live and other social media platforms offer simple options, and more professional, secure, and produced options grow out from there.
Video Conference: The most complex, albeit the most engaging option is the video conference: point-to-point (to-point…). A professional platform (as opposed to the consumer’s FaceTime or Skype) gives two or more parties in as many locations a direct line of audio and visual communication with the others, and can include live audiences at each. Integrations for graphics and other visual aids exist, and support is generally recommended at each point of transmittance and receival.
