Jenny Crewe , senior director , Global Strategic Account Management , EMEA at American Express Meetings & Events , together with the company ’ s event manager , Becky Huddy were just two of a plethora of speakers in the Digital Theatre at International Confex over two days in early September to offer some top-line tips and advice for anyone facing a hybrid future .

“ Event managers need to immerse themselves in all the available platforms and technology in order to truly understand what works for different audiences and event types ,” Huddy said . “ This knowledge will allow you to match event objectives with technology solutions that will enable you to deliver those goals , whether they be networking , content delivery , audience interaction or multihub broadcasts .”

“ You can ’ t over communicate in this environment ,” Crewe told the audience . “ In-person delegates need to know how their event experience has changed and what measures have been put in place to ensure their health and safety .”

Earlier , three virtual event platforms took to the Confex stage to discuss the challenges of networking in digital environments , as part of The Big Digital Event Debate .

Swapcard ’ s content director , Mia Masson , EventsAir ’ s

Much of the talk in the theatres and around the show-floor of International Confex this year centred around hybrid event formats and the changing face of digital and live . Mike Fletcher reports

executive director of strategic business , Paul Martin and Event Cadence CEO , Michael Buckley agreed that those digital events , which succeed in providing engaging networking elements , are generally those that offer lots of available formats to choose from , without forcing attendees down any one particular path .

“ There is a big difference between attendee to attendee networking and facilitating sponsor or exhibitor networking so the more format options you can provide , the more opportunities there are for everyone ,”

Swapcard ’ s Mason said . “ Introverts for example may prefer to network via the chat functionality or participate through polls , while others may feel more comfortable with their cameras on and being beamed live onto the stage to ask questions and engage in debate .”

Event Cadence ’ s Buckley agreed , stating : “ I consider myself more introverted and I ’ m much more comfortable connecting with people based on a shared opinion in the chat window . Most networking at in-person events takes place

around the bar but with that social lubricant missing from virtual events , attendees need more options in order to engage with what they feel comfortable with .”

EventsAir ’ s Martin stressed that platforms exist to help planners with networking options . By encouraging attendees to provide detailed profile information at the point of registration , a growing number of platforms can ‘ matchmake ’ and suggest both content and other delegates , based on shared interests .

“ My delegate badge doesn ’ t show my buying power or communicate my objectives for attending but I can share this information when registering on the platform and create a more personalise event experience for myself ,” Martin told the audience .

Mason agreed . “ It ’ s so much more embarrassing to approach someone in-person only to discover they don ’ t have the

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