Emilie Barta – Hybrid Event Consultant, Audience Engagement Specialist, Virtual Emcee – designing visually stimulating, engaging, and interactive hybrid events to unite the online and the onsite audience into one cohesive group

I always say that any event requires a combination of content + engagement. The content gets people in the door…and the engagement keeps them there and makes them want to come back for more. This is extremely important when the audience is participating virtually…which is why I created and defined the role of “virtual emcee.”

But what is a virtual emcee?

A virtual emcee is the conduit for the virtual audience who allows them to not only share in the experience, but to have an experience that is all their own. She/he assures that the virtual audience feels appreciated and like an active participant…NOT a passive viewer…in the hybrid or virtual event.

So what does a virtual emcee actually do during a hybrid event?

The primary focus of a virtual emcee at a hybrid event is the virtual audience…and the virtual emcee is at their beck and call to be the “tour guide,” “voice of the virtual audience,” “group leader,” “color commentator,” and “red carpet interviewer.” A virtual emcee also has the ability to unite the online and the onsite audience into one cohesive group so that every audience member is sharing in the same experience no matter where they are located.

Conference organizers and meeting planners have a responsibility to the virtual audience, especially if they are being charged admission. Virtual audiences pay attention to how they are treated, and are quick to point out if they are being ignored or taken for granted. But if there is a virtual emcee who is always at attention, who is never scripted, and who goes out of their way to make the virtual audience feel welcomed, taken care of, and actively engaged in the hybrid event…there will be a virtual audience who increases the success of the hybrid event through word-of-mouth and/or social-media-sharing. On top of that, statistics show that 40% or more of these virtual participants plan to convert to F2F attendees at the next event because they felt so included!

OK…but my event is a virtual event, not a hybrid event. Should I still have a virtual emcee?

Absolutely! A virtual emcee has the ability to ensure that the virtual audience knows where to go, what to do, and how to get involved in a virtual event. She/he enables the virtual audience to feel comfortable with the technology, and ensures that their questions get answered and their stories get told. As with hybrid events, the virtual emcee allows the virtual audience to be an active participant, and not just a passive viewer, of the virtual event.

Let’s face it, virtual platforms are intimidating to those who have never seen them or used them before. The platform, the technology, the buttons are all tools…tools are not engaging, people are. Conference organizers and meeting planners need to anticipate the virtual audience’s questions and concerns from the moment they register for the virtual event. And once the virtual event begins, the virtual emcee becomes their “buddy in the room” who welcomes them; guides them through the day; and shows them how easy it is to use the tools to ask questions, tell stories, network, learn a lot, and have fun!

Isn’t that just someone who stands in front of the camera and talks?

NO! A virtual emcee has the ability to reach through the camera lens and the computer screen to create a personal connection with each and every member of the virtual audience. The virtual emcee brings the “human element” and the “interpersonal connection” to the hybrid or virtual event, and enables the virtual audience to have an emotional attachment to what is occurring. They have the ability to knock down the “fourth wall” and erase the technology barriers to make sure that the virtual audience feels welcomed, appreciated, and taken care of….and not isolated, ignored, or taken for granted.

After all, Maya Angelou says it best…”People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

**Many thanks to Jenise Fryatt who interviewed me for an Engage365 article which helped me to organize my thoughts for this post**

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