February 1, 2024
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Do you want to run hybrid workshops that actually work?
As an event organiser, you've probably dreamed about running hybrid workshops seamlessly. You craft an agenda that keeps in-room audiences engaged. And remote attendees feel like they're actually part of the workshop too.
Until things go wrong.
Imagine having top-notch speakers and perfect production… only for an unreliable wireless mic to create headache-inducing feedback.
But it keeps happening.
Audio fails. Video lags. Streaming buffers.
And attendees, no matter where they're located, hate it.
Event marketing statistics show 86% of B2B organisations report hybrid events lead to positive ROI within seven months of hosting. Why? Because hybrid workshops have the power to reach larger audiences and increase engagement.
When technology disasters ruin the experience for remote participants (and in-room attendees), that ROI plummets.
Luckily, there's a solution.
Let's cover what you need to know about broadcasting equipment solutions for workshops. Here's everything this guide will share:
Want to know the truth about workshops?
Hybrid workshops are here to stay.
Recent surveys show over 70% of event professionals believe hybrid events will play an "important role" in their companies' long-term strategies. And almost 50% expect remote attendance to become the norm.
So you know attendees will attend your hybrid workshops, whether in-person or online.
Here's the problem:
Cheap equipment causes most hybrid workshop technology failures. Unstable wireless microphones? Check. Crappy laptop webcams? Double check. Audio and video that lacks the necessary quality for professional workshops? You betcha.
Investing in broadcasting equipment solutions from trusted providers like Thor Broadcast makes a huge difference. Quality products become the foundation your entire production is built upon. Don't try to cut corners and skimp on tech.
Hybrid workshops require specific pieces of gear that all need to function together.
Fail to provide any of the following and you're asking for trouble.
Here are the basic broadcasting equipment solutions your workshops need to succeed:
Most organisers try to run workshops with cheap gear and few technical resources. After all, aren't webinar platforms and built-in webcams sufficient?
Depends on the type of workshop you're running.
Yes, some hybrid workshops are successful with minimal tech. But when you start to increase production value and bring in professional speakers, it introduces tech challenges. Prepare yourself (and your equipment) for anything.
Poor production values make it hard for remote attendees to stay engaged. They can't see presenters clearly. They can't hear everyone when there's a Q&A session.
If your hybrid workshop looks and sounds amateurish, participants will lose interest. Fast.
Nothing turns people away from your workshop faster than audio problems.
Whether attendees are in the room or tuning in from home, everyone deserves high-quality audio.
Here's the tricky part with hybrid events:
Both audiences will likely need separate audio mixes.
To achieve professional audio that works for everyone, consider these tips:
Work with audio specialists to learn which microphones, mixers, and speakers suit your venue and audience size. You'll likely need one mix for your in-room PA system and another for livestream playback.
And while you're at it, test out some real-time monitoring software. It will allow you to catch and solve audio issues on the fly. Tools like noise gates and EQ adjustments can ensure your audio is crystal clear, even if someone speaks softly or presents in a noisy environment.
Pro Tip: Always use lavalier microphones for presenters who need the ability to walk around. Handling noise becomes super distracting when folks are using handheld mics during livestreams.
Something else to consider? Audience microphones.
If someone in the room asks a question, remote attendees should be able to hear them too. Consider running a set of microphones specifically for audience Q&A portions of your workshop.
Do you want remote attendees to think your workshop is legit?
Then don't skimp on video.
Low-quality video is like a flashing neon sign that says, "We don't care about our remote attendees."
Use these video production tips to achieve professional results:
Broadcasting equipment solutions mentioned earlier didn't dive into the importance of video encoders.
Encoding is the process of compressing video for distribution. Live streaming requires a device that can compress your video feed while maintaining high quality. Cheap encoders cause pixelation and interruptive buffering. Not good.
There's one thing most people forget to do before workshops…
Test EVERYTHING. Once.
This point cannot be stressed enough.
Forty-eight hours before your event, pull everything out and test it with the actual people who will be presenting or speaking.
Here's why.
38% of organisers report hybrid events take more time to plan than in-person-only events. Yet workshop organizers often pull gear and testing "the day-of" to make sure everything works.
It doesn't.
Do this instead:
Prepare backup content wherever possible. Have videos you're showing saved locally on a hard drive so they can be played in the event of internet issues. If possible, record segments of your presentations before the workshop to use if your speakers lose connection.
Bottom line:
You'll never be able to perfectly recreate live testing conditions. But the closer you get, the better prepared you'll be to handle challenges.
Hybrid workshops don't have to test your patience.
The right tech stack, and plenty of preparation, can help you produce workshops that impress attendees (no matter where they're located).
To recap:
Organisations that "nail it" with hybrid workshops report better attendee engagement, expanded audience sizes, and positive ROI within months after their events.
Say goodbye to workshops plagued with technical difficulties. Use this guide to run workshops that run smoothly from start to finish, allowing you to focus on what matters… delivering valuable content to captivated audiences.
Because cheap or unreliable tech is the main reason hybrid events fail. Poor audio and video quality can ruin the experience for both in-person and remote attendees, leading to disengagement and a negative return on investment.
You'll need professional-grade cameras (not just a webcam), microphones for presenters and the audience, a video encoder for stable streaming, an audio mixer to manage different sound feeds, and a reliable backup internet connection.
The key is to create separate audio mixes for your in-room PA system and your livestream. Use lavalier mics for presenters to avoid handling noise and have dedicated microphones available for audience questions so remote participants don't miss out.
You should test everything at least 48 hours before your workshop begins. This gives you enough time to troubleshoot any issues with the actual presenters and equipment you'll be using, preventing last-minute disasters.
Yes, absolutely. Even the most reliable primary connection can fail. A backup, such as a mobile hotspot or a secondary line, is your insurance policy against a stream interruption that could derail the entire event for your remote audience.
