Nearly half a decade has passed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and while its impact has forever reshaped society in countless ways, it seems we’re finally finding a new rhythm. The surge of virtual events may have peaked, but remote—and especially hybrid—work models continue to redefine how we connect and collaborate, both in the workplace and at events.
According to a 2023 Pew Research study, about a third (35 percent) of workers with jobs that can be done remotely now work from home full-time. While this is a decline from the pandemic’s peak of 55 percent in 2020, it still represents a 7 percent increase compared to pre-pandemic figures. Meanwhile, Statista reports that more than half (53 percent) of U.S. employees follow a hybrid work model, splitting their working hours between in-office and remote locations of choice.
Remote and hybrid work models have impacted every industry, including meetings and events. So, what does this mean for the future of events? As organizations continue to embrace flex work models, the events industry is evolving to meet new expectations, adopt emerging technologies, and create opportunities for meaningful connections. Here are some of the ways remote and hybrid work models have influenced the events industry:
A Shift in Event Purpose
Hybrid and remote work models have created geographically dispersed teams, fundamentally shifting the purpose of corporate events. In the past, corporate events often served as a platform to discuss goals, strategies, or launches. Now, they increasingly focus on fostering in-person connections and building a sense of camaraderie that remote work environments lack. Team-building retreats, offsite gatherings, and company-wide events have surged in popularity as organizations seek to strengthen relationships among employees who rarely see each other in person. This means that the way events are constructed, from floorplans to content presentation, are shifting from traditional information delivery to creating interactive, connection-driven experiences.
Increased Demand for Hybrid Events
Since teams are geographically dispersed due to hybrid and remote work models, it’s not always possible for entire teams to travel far distances to onsite events, increasing the need for hybrid offerings. Hybrid events allow attendees to participate both in person or virtually, creating a more inclusive and flexible environment. Skift Meetings reports that 70 percent of events are now hybrid, and 40 percent of respondents to a 2023 survey by Bizzabo claimed hybrid was their favorite event format. This demand is expected to continue growing as organizations prioritize flexibility and inclusivity, enabling participants from various locations to engage meaningfully, regardless of their ability to travel.
New Planning Strategies and Priorities
Planning for a remote-first or hybrid workforce requires a rethinking of traditional event strategies by both corporate teams and meeting and event professionals. As is the case with these new work models, flexibility is key. Planners must account for attendees joining across different time zones and with different technologies, striking a balance for both in-person and virtual experiences. The best practices for hybrid meetings and events differ significantly from those for in-person only events, where the focus is solely on physical presence, logistics, and seamless face-to-face interaction. Hybrid events require planners to provide easily accessible virtual platforms, and ensuring technical support for both in-person and remote attendees. Interactive elements like virtual breakout rooms, gamification, and mixed-reality experiences keep remote attendees engaged alongside their in-person counterparts. By blending these tools, organizers can create a unified event experience that maintains engagement and fosters collaboration for all participants, regardless of their location.
Updated Budget Plans
Hybrid and remote work models have changed how organizations approach event budgets. With fewer employees traveling for in-person events, companies are redirecting funds originally intended for larger venues and grand events toward hybrid technologies—such as high-quality virtual platforms and interactive tools—that ensure seamless participation for both remote and on-site attendees. At the same time, the dispersed nature of hybrid workforce has prompted a shift in scale. Many organizations are opting for smaller, regional gatherings or virtual components to reduce costs without sacrificing engagement. From a revenue standpoint, hybrid events open up new sponsorship opportunities due to their larger, more diverse audiences, enabling sponsors to reach both in-person and virtual attendees and making sponsorship packages more attractive.
Venue Adaptation for Hybrid Events
With fewer in-person attendees and a growing demand for hybrid events, venue layouts must now accommodate both physical and virtual participants seamlessly. This means a shift away from traditional auditorium-style spaces toward more flexible setups that integrate advanced technology infrastructure such as high-speed internet, livestreaming capabilities, and multiple smaller breakout areas for interactive sessions. Arch Meetings & Events offers 11 high-end meeting and event spaces across New York, New Jersey, and Texas, each equipped with state-of-the-art audio and visual technology as well as on-site tech experts to facilitate a seamless hybrid event.
The Evolving Role of Event Professionals
Beyond the events themselves, remote and hybrid work models have also transformed how professionals in the meetings and events industry operate. A study from Northstar Meetings Group found that 87 percent of meetings and event professionals now work from home for at least part of the week. This shift towards remote work has contributed to a significant change in their work-life balance, with 72 percent of respondents expressing satisfaction with their new working arrangements and 58 percent noting that hybrid working models have actually boosted their productivity. However, as hybrid events become more prevalent, there are unique challenges that come with managing both in-person and virtual experiences simultaneously. According to a study by Markletic, 38 percent of event organizers report that hybrid events require significantly more preparation time compared to dedicated in-person or virtual events, and 71 percent of event organizers cite the integration of virtual and in-person audiences as their biggest challenge. Despite these obstacles, half of respondents felt that hybrid work has had a positive impact on the industry overall, presenting opportunities for greater flexibility and innovation in event planning.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Hybrid Events
As hybrid and remote work models continue to shape the workforce, the events industry will need to adapt even further. The blend of in-person and virtual experiences has already proven beneficial for organizations by allowing more flexibility, wider reach, and enhanced accessibility for attendees. While challenges such as integrating multiple audience types persist, the rise of innovative technologies and evolving event design offer a promising outlook for the future of events. Meeting and event professionals, embracing new tools and strategies, are poised to create even more dynamic and engaging experiences that connect people no matter where they are. The future of hybrid events is not a passing trend—it’s the next evolution in how we gather, collaborate, and celebrate together.
