So, you’ve been tasked with planning a hybrid corporate town hall for your company. No pressure, right? Just seamlessly connect in-person attendees with virtual participants while making sure tech doesn’t betray you and everyone actually pays attention. Easy! (Deep breaths.) Let’s break it down into four key steps that will help you keep your sanity while pulling off an event that even the CEO will be impressed by.
1. Define Your Why (Before It Defines You)
Are you rallying the troops? Sharing big company updates? Celebrating a large milestone or team accomplishment? Defining the purpose of your town hall early on will guide all your decisions—from the agenda to the technical setup. Keep it clear, concise, and most importantly, aligned with what your employees actually care about (spoiler: they really want to know their jobs are secure and free snacks always help).
2. Tech Checks: Your Best Friend
If there’s one universal truth in hybrid events, it’s that technology will either make you look like an event genius or leave you questioning your life choices. Invest in a solid AV partner, ensure your platform supports real-time interaction, and for the love of all things digital, do test runs to not only test the technology at your live and remote locations, but also for your speakers to get comfortable ahead of time. Lastly, include your AV partner in pre-event discussions and don’t hesitate to ask for advice. They have seen a few things, and can be a great assist when planning for worst case scenarios, just in case the event gods do not grace you that day.
3. Engagement: It isn’t just for fun
Virtual attendees tuning in from their home or global offices truly need a reason to stay engaged beyond checking their emails in another tab. Use live polling, hold a live Q&A, and enable interactive elements to keep them involved (flying emojis are your friends!). And for the in-person audience? Keep the energy up with engaging speakers, great visuals, video clips, and maybe a strategically timed coffee break. No one ever complained about extra caffeine.
4. Replays & Recaps: Why stop the convo?
Once the celebration of a job well down winds down (or at least the last slide clicks through), make sure to provide a recording and key takeaways as soon as possible. Not only does this help those who couldn’t attend, but it also gives your messaging a longer shelf life. Bonus points if you create a highlight reel with the best moments and reactions — yes, even that accidental mute-button fail can be turned into a positive.
Final Thought: Hybrid Town Halls Don’t Have to Be Hard
Planning a hybrid town hall is a balancing act, but with the right prep, partners, tech, and engagement tactics, you’ll pull off an event that feels seamless no matter where they’re watching from. And hey, if all else fails, just make sure the Wi-Fi is strong and the coffee is flowing. You’ve got this!
Contact us today for an initial consultation at no cost to start planning your next Town Hall!