Hybrid Events, In-Person, or Virtual? Here’s What Works in 2025

Edda Pudner
2 days ago
2 min read

The smart guide for modern businesses who want their events to actually work.

Let’s be real: event planning in 2025 is basically like ordering coffee now—there are a lot of options, and you might need a flow chart to figure out what suits you best.Hybrid? In-person? Virtual? Fully immersive in the Metaverse with a hologram MC?

If your head is spinning, don’t worry—you're not alone. As someone who lives and breathes events (and has strong opinions on paper plates), I’m here to break it down.

👥 In-Person Events: The OG That Still Hits

Despite the rise of tech, nothing beats the magic of real-life connection. The conversations over canapés, the clink of glasses, the perfectly styled flower wall (👋 hi, I do that)… it all creates a level of engagement you just can’t replicate through a screen.

Pros:

Stronger human connection and trust-building
Immersive branding opportunities (hello, floral installations!)
Ideal for product launches, team building, or celebrations

Watch out for:Costs, logistics, and making sure your venue vibes with your brand (please no bland beige conference rooms unless you really want to look 2004).

💻 Virtual Events: Still Cool, If Done Right

We’ve all been Zoom-fatigued since 2020, but virtual events have evolved. With the right platform and planning, they can be polished, interactive, and surprisingly powerful.

Pros:

Lower budget, no travel, and super scalable
Great for international audiences or quick updates
Can be recorded and repurposed as evergreen content

But beware:If your idea of a virtual event is just a PDF and a Teams link... we need to talk.

Make it engaging with:

Live Q&As
Creative digital backgrounds (on-brand, please)
Floral backdrops behind speakers to elevate the visual appeal (yes, even virtual can have flowers 🌸)

🔁 Hybrid Events: The 2025 Crowd-Pleaser

If 2024 was the year of testing, 2025 is the year hybrid got good. Combining the intimacy of in-person with the reach of digital, hybrid events are ideal for companies who want the best of both worlds.

Perfect for:

Conferences
Training sessions
Brand activations

Key to success?They must feel like one event—not two happening at once. That means:

Seamless tech
Consistent styling
A unified experience for all guests, whether they’re sipping prosecco in person or watching from their kitchen in slippers

🌟 So, What Should You Choose in 2025?

Here’s the quick rundown:

Your Goal	Best Format
Build internal culture	In-person or hybrid
Reach wide audiences	Virtual or hybrid
Celebrate milestones	In-person (go big or go home 🎉)
Educate or train	Hybrid with interactive tools
Launch a product	Hybrid with experiential elements

💬 Final Thoughts: It’s Not About the Format—It’s About the Feeling

Whether it’s in-person, online, or a beautiful blend of both, your event should make people feel something. Inspired. Welcomed. Excited. Connected.

And guess what? That emotional impact doesn’t happen by accident—it’s designed. Through experience. Through atmosphere. Through (yes, again) thoughtful details like florals, lighting, flow, and how your brand shows up in every corner.

Need help planning yours?Let’s make it happen—beautifully. 👉 Get in touch