Survey: Meeting Pros Support Hybrid Conferences

Meeting planners report near-universal success with virtual/physical meeting style.

September 17, 2012

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Thinking about taking the hybrid meeting plunge? A new survey suggests those who have are happy with the results.

According to a new survey  (opens in a new tab) by the Meeting Professionals International Foundation and leading webcasting firm Sonic Foundry, hybrid conferences, which contain elements of real-life and virtual conferences  (opens in a new tab), are very popular with groups that have used them.

A sample of some of their findings, according to a quantitative survey of 1,800 event planners:

“This research clearly supports what we have known but lacked scientific data to support,” MPI’s interim CEO, Cindy D’Aoust, says. “By strategically using hybrid technology, the planner can expand the reach of their event which increases the ability to drive business results – a far more valuable asset than merely controlling costs.”

Fittingly, Sonic Foundry will hold a webinar  (opens in a new tab) about their findings from the survey this Tuesday at 11 a.m. EST.

Have you tried using hybrid meetings at your conferences? If so, what were your findings?

Ernie Smith

Ernie Smith is a former senior editor for Associations Now.