Event producers were given the test of the century in spring 2020: pivot from in-person events to virtual and hybrid events in an instant. But in no time at all, businesses, organizations, meeting platforms, and the general public became more accustomed to the possibilities of the digital world. The technology improved, event production companies grew in their competencies, and the world realized how cost-effective and uniquely engaging virtual and hybrid events could be. If you have an upcoming in-person gathering of any size in this uncertain time, Wizard Studios has the insight you need to ensure it is masterfully transformed into a stellar virtual event.

• How We Keep Design Thinking Strong

Times are changing, but every day at Wizard Studios, we ask ourselves, “What’s the best way to design an event so that its execution best aligns with the engagement of this particular moment/brand/product before, during, and after an event?” Have you considered how an event engages your audience fully as an entirely digital experience? Or would it be better served in a hybrid world, existing in equal parts (socially distant) in-person and online? An event whose goal is an increase in brand awareness may not need an in-person element, but there are certainly more hurdles that a food or beverage company would face if it didn’t have an in-person element. So, begin with the thinking, “what is absolutely crucial to the success of my event?” Once you have that idea, let Wizard Studios do the rest! 

We take the time to strategize on a creative brief and map out the important features of your event, including an ideal budget, goals/metrics of the event’s effectiveness and reach, and (this one’s crucial) how sponsors can be sprinkled throughout the audience’s experience. Lastly, we consider how to get and keep your audience excited about your upcoming virtual event on all online channels. We’ll find an exciting hook from the event’s outset but keep the engagement and excitement building until it’s showtime! 

• How We Adapt in the Virtual World

Event planners prior to 2020 were well-versed and well-practiced in everything from hotel accommodations and catering needs to venue reservations and travel changes. In the virtual world, your focus needs to be put in new places. 

For virtual and hybrid events, your audience is now joining and participating from anywhere in the world. So not only is your audience global, but it’s going to require some serious IT and technology strength to support an enormous audience calling in from all different time zones. To best align your schedule, speakers, and pre-recorded content, you’re going to need your planning and communication to be at the highest level possible - that’s why trusting in Wizard Studios could be a huge help for your digital gathering! 

Our team pivoted The Boys & Girls Club of the Bellport Area’s Beachball 2020 from an in-person event to a virtual event in August 2020. In addition to providing a live-streamed DJ to get the party going, Wizard Studios’ tech gurus managed the live-stream from start to finish. We created custom graphic packages with lower thirds, provided all necessary equipment and technicians, utilized effortless video switching, and hosted it from the Boys & Girls Club website. Throw in some edited pre-recorded video content from celebrities and sponsors, and the live feed exploded with energy, color, and inspiration! 

• How We Offer Limitless Ways to Engage

Engagement in the virtual world will look different than what in-person event producers are accustomed to considering, but there are a vast number of options available to the types of events we can produce for your digital gathering. 

It doesn’t matter if you’re producing a small webinar for a dozen attendees or an enormous online conference for thousands, you must have an intelligent and visual storytelling element to your design. Online meeting platforms and live-streamed services are becoming increasingly adept at utilizing audience polls, online quizzes, live Q&As, gamification features with a leadership board to highlight audience members that are most active, and ensuring that interaction between event leaders and attendees is active and consistent. 

Take an upcoming gala. There’s no need to postpone it; simply transform it into an unrivaled virtual event with custom graphics, sets, and fabrications. Wizard Studios worked with CurePSP to celebrate 30 amazing years of service, creating a broadcast of live and pre-recorded videos and performances with custom-made graphic overlays and set designs. Over the course of two days, our team managed breakout sessions, hosted a live Q&A, and filmed and edited pre-recorded sessions in-house to create a gala that was certainly worth raising a glass to!

• How We Celebrate The Individuality of Events

Anyone who has ever attended an event in-person, in any field or at any time, has always appreciated the ability to to be “wowed.” You’re likely already ahead of us, and yes, amazing virtual and hybrid are more than just a possibility - they’re what Wizard Studios accomplishes every day!

We’ve created everything from drive-in graduations to outdoor festivals and  never-before-seen virtual “homegate”  activations! For Frank’s RedHot, our team produced a live broadcast that every sports fan was hungry for. Safely produced with Covid-19 testing and contact tracing in mind, our team did everything from managing a 1,000-person Zoom call with breakout rooms to creating a custom scenic fabrication reminiscent of the man cave every football fan dreams of. Our team provided top-notch technical direction, AV production, food design, and livestream encoding, and ensured this activation was full of long-lasting buzz.

In addition to that, there are plenty of virtual networking platforms that allow users to find individual, virtual breakout rooms and chat with others at your event. And although users may not be sharing business cards, they do have the ability to share social media accounts and websites so connections have immediate access to befriend, follow, and review portfolios from the comfort of their own home. Whatever your event needs, pivoting into the virtual and hybrid world is as easy as can be with the event pros of Wizard Studios!

Pivoting into the digital world is a thoughtful endeavor that involves considering accessibility from every angel. But keep in mind that, before COVID ever found its way into our day-to-day lives, there were companies that have been around for a while, working to bring live, in-person events into the digital world for years, and Wizard Studios is one of the best. So if you’re hoping to get started on transforming your event into an unmatched virtual or hybrid one, contact the digital event pros at Wizard Studios today.