Hybrid events allow for exponential audiences and they are accessible to all with an internet connection. Here, Royal Horticultural Halls venue sales executive, Dianne Worcester demonstrates the power of an inclusive hybrid event...
Recently, the Business Disability Forum held its flagship
event in Lindley Hall, part of the Royal Horticultural Halls portfolio of venues. Each year a topic is discussed on how businesses can
remove barriers for people with disabilities both in the workplace and as
customers.
This year's forum focus was on consumers with disabilities, under the
event title, ‘Are you being served?’. It was the first event in two years where
attendees had the opportunity to attend in person. Considering the individual
circumstances of those wanting to learn from the event, a survey was undertaken to determine the preferences for attending in person or online.
Pushing the event online gave it a much greater reach across
the globe, where attendees could instantly access content or watch live, plus forum content was available on the website post-event.
The Hybrid approach saw 70 people attend the forum in person and more
than 140 joined online.
It was important to organisers that the remote audience felt as involved
as those in the room. Slido and the Zoom chat box enabled real-time questioning
for online users, who were also encouraged to network through these channels.
The Business Disability Forum also made it clear from the
outset that they needed to work with supportive suppliers across the entire
event, for example, ensuring the audio/visual technicians could provide real-time
captioning on screen.
Lindley Hall is also fully accessible with lifts and a ramp which
allowed attendees to access the North Annexe.
Ultimately, hybrid events demonstrate that all types of potential attendees have been considered and they're invited to sit at the table - literally and metaphorically.
