Simply put, hybrid events are events that merge live and virtual elements to innovatively increase audience reach and engagement. In Singapore, many events have been implemented in a hybrid format in order to abide by the COVID-19 safe management measures.

There are various ways hybrid events in Singapore have been planned and carried out including:

• Having two kinds of audience experience, with a physical audience at the event venue and a virtual audience online,
• Live streaming at a main event venue to audiences across other smaller venues, and
• Having the speakers present in the same event space, while the audience watch a live stream of the event.

A live or physical event requires all the attendees to be present in a physical event space at the time of the event, while virtual events are those in which everyone attends online. In contrast, hybrid events merge physical events and virtual events together, where some people attend the event physically while others attend virtually.

Hybrid events are a combination of physical and virtual events. As such, it brings about countless possibilities and benefits, including:

• Increased reach and attendance transcending geographical locations
• Enhanced audience engagement as sharing and commenting content becomes easier
• Flexibility in carrying out events, especially during uncertain times and midst ever-changing regulations