Interpreting at hybrid events is tricky because conference interpreters need to see and hear properly. And because hybridmeeting (event) has a very broad definition.
It may mean connecting a small board room to online attendees via webcam and desktop sound system. Or it can refer to HD cameras, professional video crew, delegate microphones in front of every speaker and onsite headsets to transmit different languages. Interpreters may join onsite and sit in their booths or connect remotely from a hub or home studio.
If not hosted by experienced professionals, a hybrid event with simultaneous interpretation may be huge failure. You have to make sure that interpreters receive excellent video and audio. I am not suggesting that the audience does not need high quality audio & video, of course they do. But simultaneous interpreting is such a brain draining job and last thing you want is bad audio when somebody is speaking.
When you are asked to organize a hybrid event you need to answer these key questions:
Do I need interpreting – how many languages? Do I need sign language – which one(s)?
Are the interpreters required to be onsite in physical booths or can they work remotely?
How many participants will be in the room – do they need interpreting or will they speak one language only?
Am I going to transmit just audio or also video? What is the expected quality level and face focus rate in my video?
Is my camera good enough to cover the room and focus on people’s faces?
Do I need an HD camera with a pro crew or a rotating automated camera or just a good webcam will do?
Do I need a desktop sound system or a pro delegate microphone setup attended by a pro crew?
Am I going to work on one generic platform (i.e. Zoom, Webex, Teams, etc) or do I need custom streaming solution?
Above questions are critical to deliver a value for money hybrid event. Consult our team to organize our next hybrid meeting professionally. We can assist you to select the right AV equipment, interpreter-friendly online platforms and also experienced conference interpreters in many languages.
Hybrid mode is probably going to be the default format of international conferences, townhall meetings, trainings, press launches and even diplomatic missions. Hybrid mode makes multilingual meetings more accessible, inclusive and above all much more affordable, by eliminating the need to bring everyone into the same venue in the same city / country.
