Hybrid events

A hybrid event is a tradeshow, conference, unconference, seminar or other meeting that combines a "live" in-person event with a "virtual" online component.

With the growing popularity and cost-effectiveness of virtual events, hybrid events have become a popular way of increasing participation in traditional events at a relatively low cost. They also enable participation by people who might be unable to attend physically due to travel or time zone constraints or through a wish to reduce the carbon footprint of the event. The open, participatory nature of unconferences (eg: Barcamp) and their focus on sharing content, makes them hybrid events too.

Generally, the virtual component involves an online representation of the live event. For example, online participants might have access to:

• live streaming video or audio of keynote speakers
• online presentations (ranging from webcasts to sharing of content via SlideShare)
• creation of a live commentary or transcript of proceedings (eg: through CoverItLive)
• online chat facilities
• live blogs
• event photographs (eg: via Flickr)
• integration of other social media tools such as Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Provision of internet access, usually via free WiFi, is normal at hybrid events. As well as allowing a physical event to reach a wider audience, these online tools also provide a means for physical attendees to interact with each other, with the event organisers and with online participants, and for online participants to interact with each other. Event content can also be recorded and made available online to foster further discussions after the event has ended.

Examples of hybrid events

• At Barcamp events, all attendees are encouraged to share information and experiences of the event via public web channels including blogs, photo sharing, social bookmarking, Twitter, wikis, and IRC. This is a conscious change from the "off-the-record by default" and "no recordings" rules at conventional conferences.
• Run by a community advocating use of social media or Web 2.0 to improve the built environment, Be2camp events are also a practical demonstration of how the tools can be used to combine face-to-face and online participation.
• Cisco Live on-site conferences run concurrently with a virtual component, called Cisco Live and Networkers Virtual. Cisco Live was awarded Best Hybrid Live+Virtual Program at the 2010 Ex Awards. In addition, it was awarded the 2010 Grand Ex Award.

External links

• BarCamp.org (website). Retrieved 14 July 2010.
• Be2camp.com (website). Retrieved 14 July 2010.