5 top tips for delivering a successful hybrid meeting

As we plan our first hybrid meetings with our clients, we cannot deny that hybrid is already here – and is here to stay. Hybrid meetings offer the flexibility that our attendees have come to expect. Hybrid reflects the lifestyles we now live and the experiences we are offered in other parts of life. Not to mention the fact that international travel remains somewhat complicated and travelling for meetings across countries and regions seems antiquated.

The importance of catering to the needs of different individuals will continue to drive the way that we interact with and organize events. A recent survey suggests that over 80% of EMEA companies plan to adopt hybrid meeting strategies and we believe that the healthcare sector is no exception.

So, if you’ve missed it – what are hybrid meetings and why are they important?

Hybrid meetings enable both in-person and virtual attendance and allow us to fulfil the needs of all attendees – catering to different time zones, travel restrictions, and preferences. They’re an opportunity to deliver collaborative and engaging meeting experiences that provide users with personalized content – engaging the right individuals, at the right time, and in the right context.

But going hybrid doesn’t just mean combining in-person and virtual attendees and hoping for the best (you’ll know this if you’ve tried to host a “hybrid” conference call in a meeting room not set up for one). It’s is an approach in its own right.

Getting it right – our top tips

1. Understand your audience and determine meeting objectives early on to inform your type and format of hybridization
2. Use the right tools to engage both in-person and virtual attendees – digital whiteboards, polling, and interactive Q&A help to blend both groups for a seamless interaction
3. Facilitate flexible networking opportunities through community portals, chat features and face-to-face to increase connection between groups
4. Make sure speakers are clearly visible and audible for all – being able to see and hear what’s happening in both the physical and virtual spheres are vital to ensuring attendees are engaged and feel part of the overall meeting
5. Invest in appropriate technology – headsets, camera equipment and the right AV provider (where appropriate) make all the difference when delivering a high-quality hybrid meeting

At OPEN Health, using these guiding principles is essential. But being flexible in our approach is key to delivering successful hybrid meetings. To help you elevate your hybrid meeting offerings, we’ve developed an exclusive website to give you more tips!

To learn more about how we at OPEN Health can support you, please contact:

Louise Carrington, Global Client Partnerships Director, OPEN Health

LouiseCarrington@openhealthgroup.com

+44 (0)7468 714548