Live Streaming Virtual & Hybrid Events: 10+ Key Tools

From associations trying to broadcast their virtual events to as many viewers as possible to nonprofits putting a spin on their hybrid fundraisers, live streaming has become a staple of the virtual and hybrid event world.

Furthermore, as these event types grow in popularity, virtual and hybrid event platforms have evolved to include a host of other features to enhance the classic live streaming experience. If you’re on the hunt for live streaming tools to improve your next event offering, then look no further! We’ve compiled the top platforms to engage your audience, live stream your activities, and take your virtual and hybrid events to new heights.

In this guide, we’ll cover live streaming virtual and hybrid events through the following points:

  • The Basics: An Overview of Event Streaming
  • Top Tools for Streaming Virtual & Hybrid Events
  1. Pathable: The Ultimate Virtual & Hybrid Event Platform
  2. Hoppier
  3. Wonder
  4. ARHT Media Inc.
  5. Social Media Streaming
  6. Snapbar
  7. Gamerjibe
  8. The Sketch Effect
  9. Miro
  10. SpatialChat
  11. Mesh

Let’s dive in with a brief overview of event streaming and important features to look for in virtual & hybrid event platforms.

The Basics: An Overview of Event Streaming

Before diving headfirst into shopping for the perfect event platform, it’s important to get a better understanding of what an event platform is meant to do and how it can help your organization.

What is a platform for live streaming virtual events?

A virtual event live streaming platform is a tool used by event organizers to upload, host, and broadcast videos of their events. These streams are used for a variety of reasons, from engaging remote audience members to advertising the event to the public.

Furthermore, while there are platforms that exclusively offer live streaming, there are also more comprehensive virtual and hybrid event platforms that also have live streaming as one of their features.

A virtual and hybrid event platform is a type of event software that allows you to manage and administer your virtual or hybrid event. Far more robust than a simple live streaming platform, these full-service event platforms offer a wide range of tools to enhance the event experience, such as:

  • Live-streaming
  • Breakout spaces
  • Gamification
  • Polling & Q&A
  • Virtual meetings
  • Virtual booths

With a full suite of dedicated engagement tools, the benefits that these virtual and hybrid event platforms offer extend well beyond just live streaming.

What should you look for in a platform for live streaming hybrid events?

Whether you’re searching for a simple event live streaming platform or a more intuitive and versatile virtual and hybrid event platform, be on the lookout for the following characteristics before investing in a virtual and hybrid event tool:

  • Easy to use
  • Scalable
  • Within your budget
  • Customizability

No matter how promising an event tool may look, it’s going to hurt you in the long run if your team and attendees are struggling to use it, it’s not able to grow and change with your organization, or it costs you an exorbitant amount of money to use.

While special capabilities like polling or virtual booths will vary by platform, these basic accessibility and usability characteristics should be native to whatever platform or tool you choose.

Top Tools for Live Streaming Virtual & Hybrid Events

Ready to revolutionize your approach to virtual and hybrid events? Take a look at our list of the top-performing event live streaming and virtual and hybrid event platforms, all of which should be easily accessible, customizable, and scalable solutions within your organization’s budget.

1. Pathable: The Ultimate Virtual & Hybrid Event Platform

Pathable is an all-in-one virtual and hybrid event platform made to maximize attendee engagement for any organization. This thoughtfully-designed solution is made with you, the event organizer, in mind. It offers complete ease of use and a vast array of tools for you to level up the event management process and improve attendee experiences.

Just take a look at a few of the features that make up Pathable’s comprehensive toolkit of intuitive event technology:

  • Live streaming, pre-recorded content, and on-demand videos
  • Virtual trade shows, exhibitors, and sponsor ROI measuring capabilities
  • Platform compatibility with any device browser
  • A mobile event app, with simple set-up and coded customization
  • Live polling and session surveys
  • Chat rooms, video forums, and attendee-to-attendee networking
  • Badge and ticket scanning
  • Event data tracking and reportage

Additionally, Pathable offers integrated social media widgets, allowing you to track event hashtags, posts, and publicity in real time.

What is this event streaming platform best for?

Pathable’s virtual and hybrid event platform is the ideal, full-service event solution. No matter your organization, the content of your event, or the make-up of event attendees, Pathable is our top choice for event organizers searching for a platform that can truly do it all.

Want to learn more about Pathable’s all-in-one virtual and hybrid event software? Book a free demo today! Book a demo.

2. Hoppier

Hoppier is a virtual and hybrid event software that seeks to enhance engagement with physical experiences, as well as classic virtual event features. Hoppier users are issued virtual credit cards, giving them access to a host of partnered vendors that will deliver products to remote attendees. Above all else, Hoppier hopes to create a truly engaging, hybrid event experience with:

  • Customizable vendor menus for easy attendee food selection
  • Live streaming and virtual group or one-on-one chatting
  • Personalized gift and product deliveries

With Hoppier’s streamlined product and vendor delivery system, the attendee experience is put front and center.

What is this event streaming platform best for?

This virtual event platform is optimized for organizers that want to quickly and easily deliver physical experiences, namely food and vendor products, to their attendees’ doorsteps.

3. Wonder

The Wonder virtual and hybrid event live streaming platform is made to shake up and improve networking between your attendees. Within Wonder, attendees are able to navigate a 2D space that shows labeled circles of conversation, such as “emerging trends in nursing,” and jump into these breakout sessions. Moving freely between the main presentation stage and these flat, accessible bubbles of collaboration, attendees are able to easily take charge of their networking experiences.

Here are a few of our favorite features from this unique virtual event and networking tool.

  • A unique, navigable 2D digital venue
  • Spaces and Circles, which are scalable, customizable networking groups
  • A configurable presentation stage for presenter live streaming & updates

Encouraging conversation and engagement between attendees is a major hurdle for event organizers. With Wonder, you can overcome this challenge with ease.

What is this event streaming platform best for?

Above all else, Wonder is built to provide a streamlined, engaging networking experience between attendees. If your main goal is to provide a smaller and more intimate event with an interactive and accessible networking experience, Wonder may be a good fit.

4. ARHT Media Inc.

As a part of the Holopresnece network, the ARHT Media Inc. virtual and hybrid event platform boasts unique access to hologram and green screen event technology. A pioneer in the field of hologram event broadcasting, ARHT Medic Inc. seeks to enrich the virtual and hybrid event experience by allowing presenters to live stream holographic displays of themselves to remote and in-person attendees through:

  • Holopod displays: virtual, life-size display boards showcasing live or pre-recorded presenters
  • Capture studio: a temporary or permanent green screen recording studio able to capture and transmit live speakers to display boards and the ARHT platform
  • The Virtual Global Stage: a customizable, virtual presentation stage with green screen and holographic production capabilities

At the cutting edge of event hologram technology, ARHT Media Inc. is designed to dazzle and engage event attendees with a near 3D, live event experience.

What is this event streaming platform best for?

ARHT Media Inc. is well-suited for event organizers who want to create bold, sophisticated events using live, holographic technology.

5. Social Media Streaming

While social media may not be able to host complete virtual and hybrid event experiences, social media streaming services like Facebook Live and Instagram Live can be surprisingly effective tools for your event live streaming needs. Fully integrated with major social media platforms, social media live streaming tools are an easy way to advertise and share your event sessions, content, and offerings with a broad audience.

Just consider these benefits and features of social media live streaming platforms:

  • Maximum simplicity and ease-of-use for stream viewers and organizers
  • Real-time feedback, reactions, and comments from viewers
  • Increased public visibility and access to mass sharing features, like hashtags

With social media live streaming, you can meet viewers and attendees directly through the same familiar, simple, and easily navigable platforms where they already spend so much of their time.

What is this event streaming platform best for?

Consider using social media live streaming for your virtual or hybrid event if your main concern is simplicity, accessibility, and access to a streamlined advertising system.

6. Snapbar

Think of Snapbar as a dedicated social media engagement tool that integrates with your chosen virtual or hybrid event platform. This photo sharing and video live streaming platform markets itself as a virtual photo booth. Through the Snapbar platform, event organizers, sponsored brands, and attendees alike have the ability to post a variety of visual content to maximize event engagement.

Here are some of our favorite features from the Snapbar virtual and hybrid event tool:

  • Various backgrounds, frames, and other customizable video and photo editing widgets
  • Easy social sharing and integrations with a variety of virtual event platforms
  • Content moderation, attendee usage monitoring, and data tracking

Bouncing between sessions, discussion groups, and all of the different booths that make up your event, attendees sometimes struggle to find a dedicated space where they can have fun and freely engage with other attendees. Snapbar provides that special engagement space with a fun, visual twist.

What is this event streaming platform best for?

The Snapbar photo and event streaming platform is best for event organizers who are more focused on streaming user-generated content and promoting user engagement. If you’d like to give your attendees the chance to live stream alongside your organization, then consider integrating Snapbar with your virtual and hybrid event platform.

7. Gamerjibe

Gamerjibe is a virtual event platform that maximizes interactivity through the use of digital avatars and navigable, digital spaces. The software markets itself as a “next-gen events platform” that leverages 3D, game-like spaces to encourage attendee engagement. Similar in look, feel, and function to a 3D online console game, Gamerjibe creates a rich virtual environment where attendee avatars are able to interact, “walk” through your event space, and consume a variety of content (including live streams!) in an interesting way.

Take a look at a few of the most talked-about features leveraged by the Gamerjibe platform:

  • Text, video, voice, and screen sharing capabilities
  • No downloads or apps; only a web browser is needed for use of platform
  • Complete 3D space for booths, private groups, and live streams

Promoting a fun, engaging virtual experience for attendees is made simple with Gamerjibe’s rich, gamified event platform.

What is this event streaming platform best for?

The Gamerjibe virtual event and live streaming platform is ideal for event organizers whose main concern is complete event immersion, and who would be open to creating a unique, game-like event experience.

8. The Sketch Effect

The Sketch Effect is a virtual event engagement solution that adds a fun, artistic element to your virtual and hybrid event platform and live streaming tool. The Sketch Effect team is a group of professional animators and illustrators that can integrate their services and tools with your in-person, hybrid, and virtual events to visually communicate lectures, sessions, and other event content. With The Sketch Effect, you can:

  • Integrate professional, pre-recorded illustrations into live-streamed event content
  • Create rich video animations to pair with event sessions
  • Hire a live graphic artist to engage in-person attendees and stream their illustrated content to remote viewers

While The Sketch Effect itself isn’t an event live streaming platform, it is a companion tool that can greatly enhance the engagement potential of content administered through your hybrid and virtual live streaming and event platform.

What is this event streaming engagement tool best for?

The Sketch Effect’s services and tools are well-suited for event organizers looking for additional sources of engagement to enrich their existing live streaming platforms and the event live streaming experience.

9. Miro

Taking a clean, customizable approach to event engagement, Miro is a virtual and hybrid event platform that markets itself as an “online whiteboard platform.” Built for anything from small team meetings to larger group events, Miro’s scalable software gives attendees an interactive whiteboard space to pin illustrations, notes, and more to optimize collaboration and productivity between teams. Consider these top-rated features from the Miro platform:

  • Live whiteboard design tools, such as templates, drawing, and mind mapping
  • Ability to easily embed documents and files into attendee engagement spaces
  • Seamless syncing and software integrations with other event platforms
  • With Miro’s intuitive whiteboard and design features, collaboration between your attendees and seminars from your event speakers are more visually engaging.
What is this event streaming platform best for?

Miro is made for event and meeting organizers who have team collaboration top-of-mind. Integrating Miro with your other event platforms can add another layer of interactivity, engagement, and productivity to group sessions.

10. SpatialChat

Built like a chatroom app such as Discord, SpatialChat is a group video chat and streaming platform that specializes in easy video conferencing and networking. From running small town hall meetings with your team to hosting moderately-sized conferences, SpatialChat is built to streamline navigation between activities and promote conversation. Furthermore, the platform’s cute, configurable backgrounds allow you to create a unique event space. Just take a look at some of the best features that SpatialChat has to offer:

  • Customizable, 2D event space backgrounds, such as presentation stages and cocktail party rooms
  • Easy drag-and-drop navigation between sessions, meetings, and discussion groups
  • Multiple screen sharing and the ability to embed videos into the event space
  • With this dynamic web-based event platform, conversations are able to easily flow between attendees, speakers, and presenters.
What is this event streaming platform best for?

With a host of great chat tools but a slightly limited number of users able to virtually attend a single event at one time, SpatialChat is best for smaller event experiences and event organizers who want to facilitate conversation.

11. Mesh

Even relative to the other entries on this list, Mesh is a unique virtual and hybrid event platform. Built with the graphics of a classic 16-bit game, the Mesh platform completely gamifies its events to encourage engagement and infuse a natural element of fun into the attendee experience. For example, consider these wacky and effective special features leveraged by Mesh to enhance your events:

  • Hundreds of character customization options for attendee avatars
  • Complete customization of event spaces, including basketball courts, dungeons, and more
  • Embeddable games, links, surveys, and live streams

While professionalism isn’t necessarily this platform’s main goal, Mesh does offer a distinctive, fun, and thoroughly engaging event landscape to gamify your next meeting or conference.

What is this event streaming platform best for?

Mesh is made for event organizers who want to shake things up and foster a more relaxed event environment infused with a sense of play.

Wrapping Up

Planning, managing, and hosting a successful virtual or hybrid event is no easy task, and it’s important to have the right technology by your side to promote an event experience that is both engaging yet accessible. These top-rated virtual and hybrid live streaming and event tools should help you to achieve your event goals, each offering its own unique features to level up your event offerings.

Learn more:

Interested in learning more about virtual and hybrid events and other tips and tools to maximize your event success? Check out the Pathable blog, or book a demo now.

The Complete AV Checklist for Event Planners

A complete list of AV equipment, production, and services needed for your next virtual, hybrid, or in-person event

With the continued shift of events over the past two years, many event planners are leaning towards virtual or hybrid events, a mix of in-person and online attendees for many reasons; greater audience reach, reduction of in-person attendees to help accommodate health and safety measures, and cost-efficiencies with a reduced in-person audience. But one thing all event professionals need to ensure not to overlook is the AV (audio visual) approach, equipment, and staff needed to pull off an event that has remote and/or in-person attendees. Whether you host a strictly in-person, virtual, or hybrid event, your event approach will be slightly different. But in any case, AV equipment, production, and services will be needed to create a streamlined and memorable experience for your entire audience.

Long gone are the days that you only need to worry about staging, sound equipment, and projectors with wireless presenter remotes that are placed in every breakout room at your in-person venue. While this equipment will still be needed and utilized for your in-person audience, if you add in a virtual component, you must take into consideration more staff, more equipment, a shift in budget, and an updated approach. Let us help you get started with five things to check off your list when planning the AV equipment and production you will need for your next event:

Decide on your event approach.

First off, you will need to decide what your next event will look like. Are you ready to get back to executing a fully in-person event? Will your attendees prefer a fully virtual event? Is it possible to plan an event that includes both in-person and remote attendees with your current resources and staff? An effective way to start the decision-making process is to survey your attendees – they will surely help with your decision on how you will move forward. If much of your audience is not comfortable returning in-person, you will most likely decide on a virtual event, and vice versa if more of your attendees are ready to be back face-to-face this year. If the results are split, hosting a hybrid event is a wonderful option, as you can meet the needs and preferences of all attendees – and reach a wider audience. Making this decision will help you decide the next steps on what your AV needs will be, and what equipment and resources you will need to pull off a successful event.

Select a venue that meets your AV and capacity needs.

So, you decide to go fully in person or to create a hybrid experience. That is awesome! When you are thinking through your AV needs, there are a few important things you really need to take into consideration when selecting your venue. The first is capacity – does space allow you to properly social distance, while still creating a memorable audio-visual experience? Second, does your venue have an onsite AV vendor or venue partner that will have all the equipment and staff needed to execute your event? Finally, can your venue provide the right amount of bandwidth if you need to live stream any portion of your event? By selecting the right amount of space paired with the right AV vendor, you can then start to figure out what types of AV equipment, production, and services you will need to bring your vision to life and execute a streamlined event that takes all attendees into consideration, no matter where they are located.

For in-person events, Earl Brown suggests a complete list of audio-visual equipment that you will need to speak with your vendor about:

  • Microphones
  • In-house lighting
  • In-house sound system
  • Portable or in-house sound system
  • Mixer board(s)
  • Electrical supply
  • Video cameras
  • Desktop or laptop computers
  • Podium
  • Two-way radios
  • Projectors
  • Technicians and staff needed
  • Screens

And if you are live streaming any of your sessions to a remote audience or recording any of the sessions to have available later on-demand, there are some additional things to take into consideration like live stream capabilities in your event management platform and additional video cameras and staff support for recording purposes.

Select a virtual or hybrid event platform and mobile app that can support your AV needs, among your other event goals.

Before selecting the right platforms, you will need to identify your event goals and needs. Here are some questions to consider:

  • Do you need a platform that can deliver content to both an in-person and a virtual audience?
  • Will you need to live stream your in-person sessions to a remote audience?
  • Do you plan to have sponsors, and if so, will you have both an in-person and a virtual exhibit experience?
  • Will you want robust networking features so you can connect your attendees, sponsors, and speakers, no matter where they are located?
  • Do you need to pre-record some of your content to create on-demand sessions?
  • Do you need to record any of your in-person sessions to have available on your platform later for those who could not attend live?
  • Will you need to have the capability for your attendees to create private meetings?
  • Will you want to have content available year around, or beyond the close of the event?
  • Do you have an in-house staff that can help with your AV production, or do you need a partner that can help you execute your vision and provide AV services?
  • Do you have access to any or all the AV equipment you will need to execute your event?

Once you can answer those questions, you can begin your selection process by attending demos and determining what platform best fits your needs. If you have answered yes to any or all the above, you will want to select a platform with a multitude of features and capabilities, especially when it comes to AV. Think about what your software should include, and what type of partner you will need:

  • Online registration
  • Event website
  • Live stream capabilities
  • Live and on-demand webinar and meeting functions
  • Private or group meeting capabilities with attendees and sponsors
  • Virtual and hybrid AV production services
  • Admin training and support
  • Event mobile app
  • Sponsor and speaker management
  • Agenda building capabilities
  • Robust networking and attendee engagement
  • Data analytics and measurement for ROI
  • Access to AV equipment
  • Event consultation
TIP: Not all virtual and hybrid event platforms are created equal. With Pathable, you have access to all these features, and more. Start your selection process by registering for Pathable’s next live group demo or schedule a one-on-one virtual assessment now.

Figure out how each of your sessions will be delivered.

There are many ways to deliver content and entertainment to your audience, even when they are remote. When using a hybrid or virtual event platform, you will want everyone to feel like part of the action, especially if you have a hybrid event where some of your attendees are in-person, and some are attending remotely. Here are some options to consider when you are determining how your attendees will receive information, and the AV equipment, features, services, staff, and production that you will have to consider when solidifying your approach:

Live streaming: Live streaming is when a streamed video is sent over the internet in real time, without first being recorded, and is different from a live online seminar, where you are delivering your content from a web-based application. So, first off, you will want to determine how many, and which sessions will be live streamed to your remote audience. Setting up every general session and breakout room for a live stream experience can get costly, so it is good to select a few locations that will support live stream and ensure the session(s) you want your remote audience to see live take place in those areas.

You can create even greater engagement by adding video effects to content that is being streamed live. That would entail end-to-end virtual event production and the ability to seamlessly switch HD content, so ensure you select a platform that has support and production staff to help you with those needs. Once you figure this out, you can get a better picture of the amount of AV equipment needed, and the staff needed to support your approach.

Live webinars: In a nutshell, a live webinar is a session that is delivered in real-time using a platform such as Pathable or Zoom. In a live webinar format, the audience will be able to hear and see presenters and/or panelists, but presenters and panelists will not be able to hear or see them. Attendees typically connect with the presenter(s) through a live chat or Q&A panel function, and different webinar platforms all have capabilities such as polls and surveys for even more engagement.

Pre-recorded content: Recording content in advance and creating a thoughtfully produced experience to share with your attendees during your event can be the difference between a good and a momentous event. Pre-recorded content also has longevity, as you can make it accessible after the event and even year-round if you select a platform that gives you that option.

Pre-recording your content can be as minimal as recording a session in Zoom and playing back the recording during your event at a specific time, or after your event. But if you want your virtual crowd engaged and not falling asleep during your pre-recorded session, you may want to consider a more thoughtful approach. Add AV production with graphics, a virtual background, lower thirds, lighting and audio enhancements during recording, and professional editing for a more dynamic program.

Stream operation: When switching back and forth between live webinars, live streaming, and live and pre-recorded content, you will want to ensure a seamless transition. You can create a more dynamic experience and operationalize your live streaming behind the scenes for attendees with stream operators that can control how event attendees experience your content. Work with your internal staff and external AV provider to ensure this service is accounted for when solidifying the AV requirements for your event.

Are you not sure what you need? Choose a vendor with technical experts you can work directly with to carry out your needs. Leveraging their experience and subject matter expertise to offer recommendations and help manage all the content needs for your event will help you immensely overall.

Meet with your AV partner well in advance of your event.

When it comes to events in general, the further in advance you plan, the better. Figuring out your AV requirements is no exception. Especially if there is any pre-event production needed. We met with Orlando Monge from Encore (formerly PSAV), and he had some tips and tricks for when you meet with your AV team. Here’s what he had to say:

  • Account for onsite space coordination to ensure your attendees are socially distanced properly. This may cause an increase in space needs, which, in turn, requires more AV setup and a potential increase in cost. Think through your layouts and get creative with your AV needs to cut costs.
  • If you are live streaming, choose a few rooms (as opposed to every meeting room onsite), where you will hold live streamed meetings or sessions. This will help your budget overall, as you will limit the amount of equipment and staff needed to execute your live streaming needs.
  • Consider pre-recording some content for your virtual attendees – this is a cost-effective way to bring value for those who cannot attend onsite and reduce the number of staff and equipment needed onsite to record every session.
  • Make sure you are working together with both your AV event production partner as well as your onsite AV partner to create a seamless event. When everyone is communicating, you ensure both your face-to-face and your remote attendees are being taken into consideration and all receiving the same value at your event.
  • The bottom line is, you don’t have to ditch your old way of approaching AV, especially if you have an in-person element for your next event. But if you decide to add a virtual element and bring in remote attendees in combination with your face-to-face attendees, give yourself some extra time to ensure your transition is seamless, and partner with a vendor and an event management platform that can provide all the bells and whistles to ensure your next event is a success, no matter which format you move forward with.
Learn More:

Take advantage of Pathable’s premium AV planning services alongside our virtual and hybrid event platform to address all your needs in one place. Contact us today to get started!