by Kevin Cato, Coordinator and Technician at OneBXL

Hybrid events are on the rise within the EU Commission as you seek to engage stakeholders across Europe. Blending virtual and in-person experiences allows you to be more inclusive of diverse voices across member states.

However, careful planning is required to produce a hybrid event that genuinely engages your pan-European audience. As a professional planning such an event, keep these tips in mind:

Craft an Agenda with Cross-Border Appeal

Avoid catering only to Western voices. Seek speakers and participants from Central, Eastern and Southern member states to spotlight their expertise and perspectives.

Offer Live Translations

Provide real-time subtitles or translations into major EU languages during sessions. Pre-record translations for on-demand content. This facilitates engagement from non-English speakers.

Spotlight Women Leaders

Highlight women experts and professionals from different member states as speakers and moderators. This inspires your audience of professional women.

Enable Remote Participation

Virtual access must be seamless to engage those who cannot travel. Test technology beforehand and offer tech support.

Accommodate Family Needs

Working moms have unique needs. Provide onsite childcare and nursing rooms. Allow remote participation to fit around caregiving.

Host at Accessible Times

Avoid evening sessions that conflict with family responsibilities. Schedule core content during school/childcare hours when possible.

Build in Networking

Informal networking is key in European culture. Facilitate virtual and in-person connections so participants can build relationships.

Prioritize DE&I

Demonstrate the EU's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by making it core to your programming and participants.

Choose a Central Hub

To minimize travel, select a venue within close proximity to major transit routes from multiple member states. 

With intentional planning to engage professionals across Europe's cultural and linguistic diversity, your hybrid event can uniquely showcase the EU's spirit of unity.

Planning an inclusive hybrid event that engages professionals across Europe requires intention, but pays dividends. By spotlighting diverse voices, accommodating families, and breaking down cross-border barriers, your event can model the EU's commitment to equity and unity.

Done right, your hybrid gathering will empower attendees, highlight marginalized groups, and strengthen pan-European identity. Participants will come away feeling heard, valued, and part of a larger European community.

The strategies provided equip you to overcome geographic and cultural divides and produce an event that embodies EU ideals. As leaders, we have the opportunity to set new standards of inclusion. By bringing Europe's diversity together in one virtual and physical space, we can move closer to the EU's mission of "unity in diversity."

Events are about connections. Let OneBXL help bridge the gap between in-person and online experiences for your attendees.

Further reading

Innovative Ways to Blend In-Person and Virtual Experiences in Hybrid Events
Hybrid Event Trends 2024: What to Expect in the Business World
Maximizing Engagement: 5 Keys to Hybrid Event Success
The Hybrid Event Technology Stack: Best Practices for Seamless Experiences