# Building community through virtual and hybrid events

- Link: https://eventengine.net/building-community-through-events/
- Published: 2024-11-18T10:01:00+00:00
- Author: rondayvoo

How can communities and virtual events create meaningful engagement in the post-
pandemic world? Baris, founder of Precision Communities, joins Lee and Adam Parry
to discuss the role of virtual and hybrid events today.

Baris founded Precision Communities during the pandemic to address the need for 
virtual engagement in communities that lacked traditional in-person spaces. With
years of experience in digital marketing and event strategy, Baris saw an opportunity
to partner with community managers to build virtual events, digital assets, and 
media publishing solutions that fit the needs of online communities.

Baris, Lee, and Adam discuss the evolution of virtual events, the changing dynamics
of in-person versus online interactions, the value of niche communities, and how
traditional event organizers can leverage online communities to foster in-person
engagement. Baris does highlight that while face-to-face interactions are invaluable,
virtual events offer expanded opportunities to reach global audiences and provide
flexibility that wasn’t as widely accepted before the pandemic.

If you’re curious about the future of virtual and hybrid events, or if you’re exploring
how to build a thriving community, this episode is a useful resource.

### Key takeaways

Here are some of the key takeaways from our conversation with Baris:

 * **Communities exist without your event**: Real communities will thrive even without
   your event—they gather online independently. This is a key indicator of a true
   community rather than an audience that only connects during event times.
 * **Niche focus brings value**: The richest opportunities lie in identifying and
   focusing on niche audiences. Whether building a community or an event, targeting
   smaller, specific groups fosters stronger engagement and growth.
 * **Virtual events are here to stay**: While in-person gatherings are irreplaceable,
   virtual events have become a vital tool for connecting widely dispersed audiences
   and providing ongoing value.
 * **Communities lead, events follow**: Building an event on the foundation of an
   existing community is often more effective than trying to create a community 
   around an event. Join existing groups and see how you can add value before planning
   an event.
 * **The role of hybrid events**: For many audiences, hybrid solutions—mixing in-
   person interactions with virtual access—allow more people to engage and help 
   overcome barriers like travel costs or scheduling conflicts.