virtual-hybrid-event

As the world of technology evolves and changes, it has had an impact on everything we do, including events. While we were beginning to see an increase in the prevalence of virtual and hybrid events in the years leading up to 2020, the pandemic has forced the adoption of this technology in new and exciting ways. These types of events combine elements of both traditional face-to-face meetings and online conferencing solutions to provide a seamless experience for attendees.

The difference between virtual and hybrid events is important to understand. Each offer specific benefits, and also bring different sets of technical requirements. Having a good grasp of how each one works will help you determine which one best fits your specific needs—and budget!

What is a Virtual Event?

A virtual event is a live event that takes place fully over the internet. The presenters and audience can participate via the internet, from their home, office, or hotel room! Some virtual events bring presenters to a physical location to host the event without a live in-person audience, while others bring their audience together for an interactive experience over video chat.

Virtual events can be recorded or streamed live on your own website. They can be hosted on services like Zoom, Teams, or WebEx. They can also be publicly streamed through platforms such as Facebook Live, YouTube Live, or Livestream. Varying degrees of interactivity are possible depending on how much you want your viewers engaged with your presentation and at which point in time they would like to be involved.

What is a Hybrid Event?

A hybrid event is a combination of in-person and virtual elements. It’s usually held at a physical location with live presenters, but it can also be broadcast to remote participants. The remote audience may have the opportunity to ask questions via web chat, or they could be hooked up to the audio visual systems for Q&A. Remote presenters can also be brought in to speak to both live and remote audiences, saving on speaking fees and travel costs.

Hybrid events are great because they give you the best of both worlds: attendees can enjoy being physically present at an event while still connecting with other people from across the country (or even from around the world).

What's the Difference Between a "Virtual" and "Hybrid" Event?

A virtual event is a live event hosted fully online. A hybrid event is a live online event with a physical component. Both types of events can incorporate remote presenters, and both types of participants attend by logging in from their home or office computers.

But there are key differences between the two:

How to Host Your Virtual or Hybrid Event

It is important to know what kind of equipment you need

The type of equipment you need depends on a few factors. First, how many people will be in attendance? Second, is it a virtual or hybrid event? Third, what types of activities are involved? Lastly, where will it be held (or at least planned to be held)?

Virtual events require less equipment than hybrid events because the participants are not physically present for the event itself. This means that there won’t be any chairs or tables needed at all! It also means that video conferencing tools can be used instead of large screens and projectors — again saving space and money spent on renting equipment.

In contrast to virtual events with no physical attendees whatsoever, hybrid events rely heavily upon both in person participation along with remote participation via Internet connections such as WiFi or 4G cellular signals which would allow each attendee access through laptops/computers/tablets etcetera; this requires more technical know-how than most businesses possess internally, making a partnership with a provider such as VIP Audio Visual an invaluable resource.


There are many factors to consider when deciding which type of event is best for your business. While it may seem like a good idea to combine the benefits of face-to-face meetings with the convenience of remote communication, there are some advantages that can only be gained from an in-person event. For example, if you want to connect with attendees on a personal level while still providing an opportunity for those who are unable to travel, then holding a hybrid conference might be right for you.

On the other hand, if you just want to make sure everyone has access to materials during their time at the event or need more space than what is available at one particular location (like a hotel), then going virtual might be better suited as it can help save money and time! Whatever option suits your needs, VIP Audio Visual Company has the experience and the equipment to help you make your event the best it can be!