How to Make Hybrid a Hit: Takeaways From MIX 2022
May 18, 2022
Live streaming, in-person watch parties, virtual viewing around the world, and broadcast-quality production—that’s what Mastering Immersive Experiences (MIX) 2022 looked like. A terrific hybrid event indeed.
So terrific, in fact, we thought it would be unfair if we kept the gems of knowledge learned at our first hybrid event away from you. So we sat down with one of Hubilo’s premier event professionals, Jessica Connolly, who spearheaded the planning, management, and execution of MIX, and picked her brain to get the top takeaways from the event. Here’s what she had to say.
Create pre-event buzz to tease the audience for the event
“Building excitement with your online community before the event is a time investment well-spent. We ran a social media contest before the conference that drove a lot of awareness about MIX. It allowed attendees to get excited before MIX started. And to find out if they’d won, they had to tune in to the event. So our pre-event social contest ended up being a great way to convince those who signed up to attend and discover what else was in store.”
Separate engagement experiences for virtual and in-person attendees
“There truly are two separate audiences that you’re trying to engage during a hybrid event. You have to create different experiences for both of them because they’re in different settings.
And while we kinda knew this going into the event, we really learned the ways that this manifested. For example, with contests that we set up online, our virtual audience loved them and leaned heavily on the chat feature; however, our in-person attendees really embraced face-to-face networking. Everything isn’t going to translate, and that’s ok.
Get your event a “Rachel”
“If you go back and watch something on demand, maybe you’re just watching that particular session. But for a live experience, when we wanted people to be engaged, Rachel Moore really tied it all together. She connected with the audiences both virtual and in-person. Sometimes she’d talk while a session was happening, or when the virtual audience went to break she’d be giving directives to the in-person audience. She was just so personable and that was huge.
On top of that, Rachel had a co-moderator, Sabrina Meyers, who made the experience even better because there was that banter that broke up the session content and ensured that both physical locations got on-screen time.”
Wondering if there’s more where these came from? There is! Check out the on-demand recording of MIX 2022 here.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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