09/03/2021

Groups Continue to Explore New Hybrid Conference Formats

With the COVID-19 variants apparently multiplying, hybrid appears here to stay

Like many associations, the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) held their annual meeting virtually last year. This year, they wanted to have an in-person meeting, but also not forego their new virtual audience. Rather than try to do a hybrid event that included livestreaming to virtual attendees, ASTA decided to split the event. The group held the live ASTA Global Convention in Chicago August 23-25, and the virtual version of the show a week later, August 30-31.

“We knew that some people wouldn’t be able to travel, especially our international exhibitors,” said Kelly Bigel, ASTA's vice president of business development. “So, we just felt like it was the right thing to do to offer a virtual component so that everyone could participate if they wanted.”

Attendees who attended the in-person component automatically received access to the virtual show. For the virtual event, attendees received recordings of some of the live event’s general sessions and prerecorded versions of selected panels.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Associations Now.