Turning a Hotel Banquet into a Studio

It’s no secret that hybrid events are taking over the meeting and events industry. For any business in the know, having a remote option is an absolute necessity. According to the data research company Apollo Technical, about 4.7 million people work remotely at least half the time in the United States in 2022.

With the help of a professional team from JTB, your company will be ready to host a highly accessible event for attendees, no matter where they are located. With this in mind, there are some venues that are better suited for this kind of event than others. Here are the best basics when it comes to hosting a hybrid event in a traditional space.



Hosting hybrid events
Hybrid events are here to stay, and there are plenty of examples that have seen massive success in the past few years. Let’s look at some of the top hybrid events of last year. Some great examples include:
  • Apple Special Events: Even before the pandemic forced people to explore other options, Apple knew the power of live-streaming an event, and they have been doing it for years.
  • The New Yorker Festival: The magazine, the New Yorker, hosted a hybrid event. Having both a virtual and in-person option made the festival more accessible for attendees.
  • Live sporting events: Hybrid options for a vast array of live sporting events have been a popular option for a long time. From motorsports to soccer and UFC events, interactive live streaming is the new norm.
What makes a location ideal for hybrid events?
When hunting for the ideal location to host your hybrid event, there are several things that you should keep in mind. This is where a professional event planner can come in handy because they should already have a good idea of a location that would fit your particular needs. Think about certain factors like the number of people attending and the level of interaction required.

Regardless, it is important to find a hotel or other venue that is tech-savvy. Your unique event will demand its own creative solution, but a strong internet connection is a must. There are other technical requirements that the area should be able to meet. Aside from this, the venue should also take into consideration those who will be coming to the event’s physical location. It should be comfortable for all attendees and provide seamless integration and experience. Whether they are tuning in from hundreds of miles away or are sitting physically in the room, the interaction and participation options should be similar.


What are some of the best North American locations to host hybrid events?
Now that there is some base-level understanding of what the perfect venue for your event is, it’s time to look at some of the most popular locations for hybrid events in North America. Here are the top five spaces:
  1. Anaheim Convention Center
    The Anaheim Convention Center is located in Anaheim, CA, and is the home to many popular hybrid events. Last year, the venue became even more virtual and hybrid event friendly. Some of the top features include:

    – Custom digital backdrop
    – Live streaming and video broadcast abilities
    – Excellent video and audio equipment
    – Professional audiovisual and lighting help

    These are just a few of the options that make this venue top of the line for a potential hybrid event.

  2. Area15
    Everything is bigger in… Las Vegas? This is true for the 40,000-square-foot event venue that also includes an entertainment, retail and dining complex in addition to the main meeting space. What makes this venue so distinctive is its “Portal,” which is a floor-to-ceiling projection mapping area that allows planners to make the virtual guests feel even more comfortable and included.

  3. Walter E. Washington Convention Center
    At the end of 2021, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center opened and quickly became a very popular location for hybrid events.

  4. Palais des Congrès de Montréal
    Another excellent Canadian venue, Palais des Congrès de Montréal, has been hosting hybrid events for several years. The location offers laser projectors and the option to hire a team of professional producers and technicians to help host the event. Recently, the venue also included its new Oasis Immersion option, which is a large area that is “dedicated to immersive technology.”

  5. Worre Studio
    Another Vegas location, this venue offers the possibility to connect 25,0000 interactive participants in an event virtually. It also has the following amenities:

    – 360 degree 4K LED stage.
    – Real-time chat and audio communication.
    – A live cast control room.
    – Social media management dashboard.

  6. George R. Brown Convention Center
    Located in Houston, Texas this venue is perfect for hybrid events due to the 5,250 square feet broadcasting studio inside. This also makes it easier for individual presenters to be integrated into the meeting from anywhere around the world.

  7. Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
    This center offers a broadcasting studio in addition to its traditional event space. and has 30,000 square feet for hybrid events. 300 people can be there in person, while many others can join from their remote locations. This makes it easier to integrate all attendees into the event and allows for interaction.


Finding the right location for your attendees is not always an easy task, which is why a professional can help you sort out the particulars based on your unique requirements. Setting up a studio can be complicated, but we know that you want to provide the best experience for your hybrid attendees. With JTB, you can leave the intricacies to us. To learn more, reach out to JTB today.