As we all start preparing for next week’s Thanksgiving feast here in the US, it got us thinking how many of the same principles that go into planning the big meal (and getting family to the right location) are applicable to hybrid events. Just like the holidays, they require careful coordination, attention to detail, and the ability to meet different needs to keep everyone happy - nobody likes dry turkey or boring content, after all. Let’s gobble up the details and dive in!
1. Know Your Guests’ Needs and Preferences
Before Thanksgiving, you check in with family and friends about food preferences, right? Uncle Joe is now vegan, the kids no longer eat anything red and Mom has gone dairy free… The same goes for a hybrid event: know your audience’s expectations and preferences. Some attendees may want interactive, live sessions, while others prefer to consume content at their own pace. Understanding this will help you craft an experience that satisfies everyone, whether it’s through feedback from previous events or even a question field for attendees to submit during the registration process.
2. Build a Balanced ‘Menu’ of Content
Thanksgiving offers a mix of savory, sweet, a parade, Football games, lying on the sofa and maybe a game of pick up basketball on the driveway. Hybrid events are similar, balancing foundational content with fresh, engaging activities, and not everything you plan will be for everyone. Plan a mix of sessions that will appeal to both in-person and virtual attendees, along with outside the box activities that focus on networking, entertainment or gamification, making sure your audiences feels apart of the experience no matter how they’re attending and everyone has a favorite takeaway.
3. Set Up Your ‘Dining Room’ and Your ‘Online Table’
It’s often hard for the host to fit everyone at the same table for Thanksgiving, and while it maybe tempting to put some guests in a separate room, moving some furniture around so the entire family can enjoy the meal in the same space is a more inclusive solution. And just like setting a welcoming Thanksgiving table is important, your event venue and virtual platform needs to be inviting and easy to navigate. Ensure that the experience is cohesive and inviting so guests don’t feel disoriented, whether they’re attending in person or online. Clear signage, user-friendly interfaces, and helpful tech support are key to making everyone feel comfortable.
4. Get the Timing Right
Timing the Thanksgiving dinner is all about making sure the Turkey comes out with enough time to bring every dish to the table still hot and ready to eat! A hybrid event also requires careful timing to ensure both audiences experience key moments without feeling rushed or left out. Syncing in-person and virtual sessions can keep energy high and the two-way conversation smooth, but creating unique moments for live and virtual is equally important. For example, when your in-room audience is having in-room cocktails, you can create a private Q&A session with a Keynote speaker or panelist for your virtual audience, keeping everyone engaged before the main course beings.
5. Share the ‘Leftovers’ – Post-Event Follow-Up
Thanksgiving leftovers are the stuff of legends! For many, the best moment of the holiday is the day after, digging into the fridge to carefully craft that Thanksgiving sandwich. Hybrid events benefit from a similar follow-up once everyone has had time to digest. Share your recordings, summaries, or exclusive content with your attendees so they can revisit highlights or catch up on sessions they missed. And keep the platform going so conversations and connections can continue, especially for those that attended live and want to see what everyone else experienced. It’s a great way to keep people engaged for longer and gather valuable feedback for future events.
At the end of the day, planning a big event can feel similar whether it’s a large family gathering with all the fixings or a hybrid presentation for your business. Focus on creating an experience that speaks to all of your “guests” no matter how small the detail and you’ll leave them feeling thankful and satisfied! And of course, adding a knowledgeable chef to the team will always help when it comes to taking the heavy lifting off your plate and ensuring the show runs smoothly so the planners can sit back and enjoy as well. Contact us to start planning your next hybrid event today! (we can’t help with the cooking… sorry).
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!