Technological advancements continue to shape modern culture and with the world still in the throws of the Covid-19 pandemic, technology is enabling event organisers to reinvent how they deliver conferences and exhibitions to delegates.
With larger indoor business events and conferences no longer permitted to resume from the 1st October as hoped, the delivery of hybrid events will become increasingly popular with organisers due to the flexibility they offer in these uncertain times.
To ensure it is well equipped to meet the increase in demand, Warwickshire-based conferencing and event venue, the British Motor Museum has announced a new partnership with event planning and AV specialist, Showman Event Support.
Charlotte Dawes, senior sales manager at the British Motor Museum, details how the rise of hybrid events will be a fantastic driving force, enabling the industry to find its feet with confidence in the wake of Covid-19 and how partnering with Showman Event Support will help to deliver these:
“Coronavirus has had a severe impact on the UK and with many businesses turning to digital services such as Zoom and Google Hangouts to keep in touch with colleagues and clients, how we interact with others on a day-to-day basis has changed considerably. Whilst we identified a growing trend in hybrid events pre-Covid, we anticipate the importance for venues to have the right technology and infrastructure in place to deliver these types of events moving forward, will become a key requisite for organisers.
“Hybrid events offer the perfect balance by combining a live in-person event alongside a virtual component. Whilst nothing can replace the physical face-to-face interaction gained from being in a room with others, technological advancements provide the flexibility for those who would prefer to ‘attend’ events remotely or those in localised lockdowns to still attend and allow a wider net of delegates to engage. 
“In order to deliver hybrid events successfully and seemlessly, superior technology and excellent knowledge are key and it will be increasingly difficult for venues to do this without the right infrastructure in place. This is why we have partnered with Showman Event Support for all of our hybrid and virtual conference needs. We have worked with Showman for several years and we are delighted to be strengthening our relationship further in order to deliver hybrid events and launch a dedicated filming studio for virtual events.
“Whilst we now have a dedicated filming studio we also have a number of other rooms onsite where clients can set up there own equipment and sets for virtual and hybrid events whilst making use of our 1GB Wi-Fi. As the events industry looks aheads towards reopening its doors for large conferences and exhibitions, the success in its delivery will be in venues having the right facilities which offer flexibility and choice for both organisers and attendees.”
Nina Glazzard, managing director of Showman Event Support, added: “To run such events successfully, venues need the right AV equipment, excellent Wi-Fi and streaming capabilities. We have all the latest equipment and are fortunate that the British Motor Museum is well equipped with 1GB Wi-Fi, including a 100Mb hard wired connection, which allows us to run seamless virtual video conferencing for clients.
“These hybrid events offer the perfect balance by combining a live in-person event alongside a virtual component. Whilst the technological advancements provide the flexibility for those who would prefer to ‘attend’ events remotely or those in localised lockdowns to still attend and allow a wider net of delegates to engage.”
For further information about running a virtual or hybrid event at the British Motor Museum visit https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/conferences/hybrid-virtual-events or read their blog on top tips for meetings in a post-Covid world.
Alternatively, contact Charlotte Dawes, senior sales manager on 07425 224976 or the Bookings Team on 01926 649649 or bookings@britishmotormuseum.co.uk.