The pandemic has accelerated the demand for digital events and the boom in Zoom. But with the end of the lockdown in sight, physical events are set to return soon. So, what will be the future shape of events and conferences in 2021 and beyond?
Two well-established companies think they have the answer with plans for hybrid events.
TR Global Events delivered differing styles of live events pre-pandemic, ranging from corporate summer and Christmas parties, conferences, awards ceremonies, business exhibitions and trade shows to name a few. The events landscape has changed and the need to embrace technology is more prevalent now than it ever was before.
TR Global Events has developed a strategic partnership with Milton Keynes-based video services company The Video News Factory Ltd. TVNF has been involved in streaming events and conferences since 2015, working for a diverse range of major brands from Farmers Weekly to Miss England. During the pandemic TVNF provided a lifeline for companies by operating live streaming and pay-per-view virtual events and conferences from its COVID-safe TV studio.
Tony Murdock has joined TVNF as Associate Director for Events and will be integrating TVNF services with the gradual re-introduction of live events and conferences, adding TVNF digital broadcasting services to extend the reach and value of live with the power to fully engage with national and international audiences.
Tony said: “With the events world the way it is now, we need to embrace the technology that has been forced upon us. Live events will return, but the need for live and virtual to work hand in hand is evident now more than ever.
“With the use of technology, an event audience and exposure can increase to a global scale and to that end, we are delighted to welcome the expertise of JP Allard and his team from TVFN to deliver the new norm in events. JP joins TRG as Associate Director of Digital Services and this new strategic partnership is already working on several projects together to deliver the perfect hybrid event. We were keen not to rush into this complex area without first finding an experienced team, which TVNF is, and one that had been doing these types of events for many years.”
These new hybrid events will deliver both physical and virtual exhibitor booths, main stages and break-out presentations, integration of remote guests to help overcome travel restrictions, voting and chat services that both live and digital audiences can use, pay-per-view and subscription services, access to TV studios as well as on-location ‘outside broadcast style’ multi-camera coverage.
These services have been tried and tested during the pandemic and will be supported by a combined team in TVNF and TRG with over 50 man years of experience in corporate event communications and technology.
TVNF’s Managing Director, JP Allard, who has been involved in internet TV since its birth in the mid-1990s, said: “Before the pandemic there was a fair amount of hesitancy about the value of adding livestreaming to corporate events. The disruption and challenges of the last 12 months has more than justified the need to deploy digital technologies. Livestreaming has been centre stage and proven to be of enormous value.
“Whilst we are yearning for real events to return, professional livestreaming is now no longer an optional extra, that’s why we are excited by the prospect of partnering with TR Global Events to deliver digital services to maximise value to sponsors and delegates alike and fully integrate our advanced digital services.”
Hybrid events can include, but are not limited to, exhibitions, trade fairs, conferences, meetings, award ceremonies, weddings, product launches, careers/recruitment fairs, music and comedy shows.
This new business collaboration offers clients the complete package, all in-person requirements, the hybrid platform with the live-streaming technical ability; a full service operation.
For more information contact JP Allard on 07403 901384, email jpa@thevideonewsfactory.com, visit The Video News Factory or contact Tony Murdock on 07788 593946, email tony@tr-globalevents.com or visit TR Global Events.
