The pandemic has undeniably triggered an accelerated adoption of technology, accelerating the digitalisation of corporate governance and transition of in-room events to virtual ones. Over the past two years, hybrid events have paved their way to gaining increasingly popularity across the world. The AGMs were no exception to this emerging trend. Organisations of all sizes began to adopt both hybrid and virtual AGMs, aware of the vast array of opportunities and benefits offered by the digital format for both administrators and shareholders.
Both hybrid AGM and a virtual AGM are hosted on the virtual AGM platform that allows shareholders to attend regardless of their location.
A hybrid AGM is organised at a physical venue paired with a virtual part, and thus combines the benefits of in-person meetings and virtual ones by accommodating the needs of all the attendees. They prove to be the best alternative to keep up with the increasing need of flexibility that the pandemic has brought forth, opening the possibility of higher attendance both in-house and online by removing the need to be in one location.
If both formats open the possibility of higher attendance, leading to increased participation and engagement, hybrid meetings have grown in popularity from SMEs to multinational companies due to their inclusivity and accessibility to a wide range of people. Hybrid AGMs host more benefits when compared to in-person meetings.
Here are some of the main advantages of hybrid AGMs:
- Reduction of costs: as a large segment of attendees will attend an AGM virtually, you will cut the cost involved in catering, printing material, and more.
- Increased accessibility: geographical limitations will no longer be a hurdle in attending an AGM with a hybrid format;
- Increased transparency: hybrid solution enables you to have a complete track of the meeting, thus improving accuracy of elections and voting, and the trust among the shareholders.
How to plan a virtual/hybrid AGM:
Are you planning to host a virtual or hybrid AGM on the best virtual AGM platform? To run a successful virtual AGM, whether hybrid or fully remote, you must prepare adequately and ensure that there would be nothing disrupting your event.
Here is an essential checklist for a well-run virtual AGM:
1. Choose a trusted hybrid meeting platform:
It is important that your dematerialisation solution offers a complete range of functionalities, to make your hybrid meetings easier to manage and conduct, guaranteeing the safety of all personal data used and stored for your events.
2. Run a test to check for any technical glitches:
Check whether it involves audio, video, live streaming, or any other technical requirements and internet connection beforehand.
3. Keep your virtual attendees engaged during hybrid AGMs
Attendees must be able to exercise any rights they have to ask questions or make comments. Therefore, you need to provide them with the possibility to implement them both orally and in writing formats. The key to running an effective hybrid AGM is using a platform which doesn’t disrupt the in-room experience, and foster engagement for the virtual attendees.
4. Create a secure online election
Allow shareholder voting both in-room and virtually is of foremost importance. Electronic voting methods continue to appeal to organisations as they ease elections and involve just a few simple steps.
With online voting you can easily give your members a chance to cast their votes instantly and safely, wherever they are, from any device and moreover, to see the results in real time.
If you have not yet considered hosting a hybrid AGM, now is the right time to get started and succeed at your next AGMs!
Download the whitepaper “Digitalise your general meetings: Optimise your general meetings by facilitating hybrid meetings and e-voting” to discover further benefits of running virtual AGMs and why electronic voting is the one of most efficient way of putting your company firmly in control of your general meetings, empowering shareholders to drive growth at your business.
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