Connecting the dots: The power of hybrid events

You’ve probably read countless articles about the importance of in-person events—heck, we even wrote a few ourselves, like the recaps on the Spring Forward Event & Hackathon. But let’s face it: we can’t host big, in-person events every month, week, or day (and just know if we do, it’s probably because we hit the lottery). So, how do we stay engaged and connected in today’s fast-paced world? The answer lies in consistent, well-planned hybrid events and initiatives.

With offices in Berlin, Copenhagen, New York City, and remote employees scattered across the U.S., keeping our teams engaged is important to us. We’ve learned that it’s not always about virtual happy hours or team-building activities. Instead, we push ourselves to think outside the box—to find creative ways to bond, and spice things up with unique themes and a little friendly competition.

Let’s start with talking about why hybrid events and initiatives are so important. They play a crucial role in maintaining connection, encouraging collaboration, and reinforcing a unified company culture. When people feel connected at work, they are more connected to their work, which leads to increased profits.

But how does something as “simple” as a hybrid event accomplish all that? (And let’s be clear, I use “simple” with full appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work they require.) Well-executed hybrid events offer interaction outside of the usual work routine, creating opportunities for cross-department collaboration and increased visibility with senior leadership. Done right, these initiatives boost morale, promote inclusivity, and, best of all, they’re cost-effective and scalable—music to any business’s ears.

Now more details on the nitty gritty, what have we been doing?

There are a few hybrid initiatives that we focus on year-round in order to create transparency, provide business updates, and link our efforts back to our mission, vision, and values.

1. Town Hall Meetings: We hold bi-weekly meetings to celebrate milestone anniversaries, welcome new hires, and share important company updates. These meetings feature rotating presenters from different departments, offering insight into their roles, teams, and projects. It’s a great way to better understand the many functions of our business and bring visibility to employees.
2. Slack Channel Engagement: Slack is our go-to for instant messaging, but we also use it to create opportunities for employee engagement by setting up fun prompts to share photos, experiences, and get the answers to heavy-hitting opinions on “would you rather” questions like, “Would you rather have to take an electric scooter everywhere for the rest of your life or eat a tuna enchilada for all three meals for the rest of your life?”

We also believe it’s important to know the people on the other end of calls, so we’ve been focused on rolling out a variety of hybrid initiatives that help us get together, promote wellness, and support professional development.

Here are a few highlights:

• LiveIsland Speed Syncs: In this fun virtual event, employees joined breakout rooms with prompts to get to know each other, all while embracing the playful branding of the hit TV show Love Island (equipped with a virtual background of the Villa).
• Spring Step Challenge: A three-week wellness initiative designed to get employees moving and engaged in some friendly competition. Participants tracked their daily steps, with prizes awarded for categories like “Most Steps Taken” and “Most Improved Week-over-Week.” Get this… the winner for most steps ended the competition at over 400k total steps during the three-week period!
• LiveConnect 4: A fun way for employees to connect and get to know each other outside of regular work meetings. In this strategic game, participants were paired up in breakout rooms, and competing while getting to know each other. 
• Fireside Chat: An informal and conversational event to share insights, experiences, and advice with our employees on giving and receiving feedback. The goal was to keep things relaxed and personal, encouraging an open dialogue instead of a formal presentation.

And that’s just the start—whether folks are into Fantasy Football or prefer Book Club, we try to create something for everyone!

Incorporating thoughtful, well-planned hybrid strategies into our business ensures that, no matter where employees are located, they feel connected, supported, and empowered to do their best work. While we’re still learning and refining our approach, one thing is clear: when you Put People First, great things happen.