Virtual and hybrid events

A conference is not a long webinar. It has several sessions, sometimes running at the same time, plus networking, sponsors and an agenda people need to find their way around. Virtual and hybrid event platforms hold all of that in one place, either fully online or alongside a physical venue.

The first question is what kind of event you run. Some platforms grew out of in-person event management and add virtual sessions on top, which suits trade shows and corporate conferences with a venue. Others started online and focus on stages, lounges and networking for remote audiences. Hybrid events need both: an app for people in the room and a good stream for people at home.

Look closely at networking, because it is the part attendees value most and the hardest to do online. Options include one-to-one meeting booking, matchmaking based on interests, table-based lounges and speed networking. AI matchmaking suggests people to meet based on profiles, which can help at large events, but only if attendees fill in their profiles.

Sponsors are often what pays for the event, so check what the platform gives them: booths, lead capture, session sponsorship and reports. Ask how sponsors will see their leads after the event, and whether attendee consent for sharing contact details is recorded clearly.

Featured event hosting tools: virtual and hybrid events

SponsoredVirtual and hybrid events This position is open Put your tool at the top of the virtual and hybrid events page. Paid spots are always labeled Sponsored. From $99 a month. Get featured

What a featured listing costs ยท from $99 a month

9 event hosting tools in virtual and hybrid events

Gather

Virtual space with walk-around avatars and proximity video, used for team socials, offsites and small online gatherings.

  • Free plan or free tier

Cvent

Event management suite for in-person, virtual and hybrid events: registration, venue sourcing, attendee apps and onsite check-in.

  • Mobile app
  • Developer API

Bizzabo

Event platform for in-person, virtual and hybrid conferences, with registration, agendas, networking and an attendee app.

  • Mobile app

Airmeet

Virtual and hybrid event platform with stages, social lounges with tables, speed networking and sponsor booths.

  • Records sessions

Hubilo

Virtual, hybrid and webinar platform for marketing events, with branded event pages and engagement data for follow-up.

  • Records sessions

Swapcard

Event platform and app for trade shows and conferences, with AI matchmaking for networking and exhibitor lead capture.

  • Mobile app

Whova

Event app and management tool with agendas, attendee networking, community boards, check-in and virtual sessions.

  • Mobile app

vFairs

Platform for virtual and hybrid fairs, expos and job fairs, with 3D-style booths, webinars and an event app.

  • Mobile app

Goldcast

B2B event platform for webinars and virtual events, with a content lab that turns recordings into clips and posts.

  • Records sessions

Plan your production too. Larger events usually need a producer for each stage, a run of show and backup recordings. Ask whether sessions can be prerecorded and played as live, how captions are added, and what happens if a speaker's connection drops. These platforms usually need setup time, so start weeks before the event.

Registration often lives inside the event platform itself, with ticket types, discount codes and approval steps for invited guests. If you already sell tickets elsewhere, ask whether the platform can import attendees or connect to your ticketing tool, so people don't have to register twice or wait for a manual upload the night before the event.

After the event, the platform should give you more than a list of names. Session attendance, time spent in each session, questions asked, sponsor visits and networking meetings all help you plan the next edition and show sponsors what they received. Ask to see a sample report during the demo, and check how long recordings and data stay available after your contract ends.

Questions about virtual and hybrid events

Do I need an event platform or is a webinar tool enough?

A single talk or a small series works fine on a webinar tool. Once you have parallel sessions, sponsors, an agenda and networking, an event platform keeps everything in one place for attendees.

What does hybrid mean here?

A hybrid event has people at a venue and people online at the same time. The platform usually provides an app for the room and a stream with chat and Q&A for remote attendees.

Does AI matchmaking actually help networking?

It can at large events, where people can't browse the whole attendee list. It only works when attendees complete their profiles, so ask them to do it during registration.

How far ahead should I set up an event platform?

Give yourself several weeks. Agendas, speaker profiles, sponsor booths, registration and production rehearsals all take time, and attendees need the agenda early enough to plan.

Related categories