FMBE winners 2022: Most Successful Virtual/Hybrid Event

FMBE’s Frank Wainwright collected the award on behalf of Philips who could not attend. Photo by Aniseed Photo.

There was a very good, high quality category, with one entry that set new standard benchmarks in winning gold

BRONZE 2 Heads – World Business Council for Sustainable Development

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development used their first hybrid delegate conference to showcase a solutions-based approach to connecting minds worldwide, and the ability to work through important sustainability questions without all the players needing to be in the room.

Guests from over forty countries were able to join WBCSD and their expert speakers at the Liaison Delegate meeting regardless of time-zone and scheduling differences. The WBCSD vision was creatively delivered to delegates via break out rooms and plenary experiences experienced both physically and digitally.

Conversations, debate, and discussion between WBCSD and guests hugely increased understanding and helped form plans for the future as part of the Vision 2050 and Transform roadmap agenda.

The Liaison Delegate Conference App and virtual twin event hosted on EventHive VX allowed a seamless immersion into the content and livestream for international visitors.

SILVER REL Field Marketing – Dell

Each year Currys allows manufacturers to present to and educate its retail force at a conference ahead of the peak sales period instore. In 2020 and 2021 this event was virtual. Dell took part both times, something that allowed them to demonstrate the uptick in the engagement level of their virtual presentation skills.

As part of the knowledge retention element, downloadable takeaway content designed specifically for mobile phones so store staff could refer to easily reference after the event or even whilst on the retail shop floor talking to customers.

Unique clicks and asset downloads were up 21 per cent vs 2020, one of many stats that showed the Dell team had created compelling interactive content.

GOLD Philips (in house)

Radiology congress RSNA is a key annual event for Philips and with this entry FMBE judges were given unique insight into the way a giant of electronics created a hybrid event for showing off its electronics.

RSNA returned to in person in 2021 but with many potential delegates still unable to travel, hybrid was the way to go.

The aim was to achieve the same interactions, high dwell times, and impressive media coverage across both the live event and virtual event, whilst also creating an experience that would differentiate Philips from its competitors and help them stand out from the crowd.

FMBE judges were able to explore the virtual experience for themselves. They were impressed with the human interaction alongside the technology throughout and a desire for engaging storytelling that would have chimed with live and online audiences.

Virtual attendees were able to engage with presenters, book conversations with experts and request product demonstrations with the same flexibility as the in-person event.

Results included a 33-minute dwell time at the live event and 12 minutes online, both far above target. More than 1900 leads were generated by the hybrid, 30 per cent above target.