Town halls have always been a cornerstone of internal communication. Whether you're updating your team on company strategy, recognising staff achievements, or addressing big changes – these events matter.
But the way we deliver them has changed.
While in-person gatherings still have their place, many organisations are turning to virtual and hybrid town halls to improve accessibility, engagement, and impact. At Stream7, we’ve supported companies across the UK to rethink how they deliver internal events – helping them connect with their people in smarter, more flexible ways.
So, what’s the best format for your next town hall? Let’s explore the pros, cons, and hidden superpowers of each.
The Traditional In-Person Town Hall: Familiar, But Flawed
There’s something powerful about getting everyone in a room. The buzz, the energy, the chance to ask questions face to face – it builds a sense of belonging.
But in today’s working world, in-person-only events come with challenges:
- Geographically spread teams: Not everyone can be in the same place at the same time.
- High costs: Venue hire, catering, travel – it all adds up.
- Accessibility barriers: Not all employees can easily travel, especially those with caring responsibilities, health needs or part-time contracts.
- Limited reach: Contractors, remote workers or international colleagues can be left out.
For many organisations, these downsides are driving change.
The Rise of Virtual and Hybrid Town Halls
Virtual town halls offer an inclusive, flexible solution – and when done well, they can actually boost engagement.
Here’s why more teams are going digital:
1. Wider Reach
Stream your town hall online and instantly include remote teams, field staff, and international colleagues. Everyone hears the same message, at the same time, no matter where they are.
2. Increased Engagement
Think virtual means boring? Think again. With tools like live Q&A, polling, breakout rooms and captioning, attendees become participants – not just passive viewers.
3. On-Demand Access
Not everyone can join live. Virtual platforms let you record the session so it can be shared afterwards – great for people in different time zones or those who want to rewatch key moments.
4. Measurable Insights
With in-person events, it’s hard to know what landed. With virtual, you get data. Who attended? What questions were asked? Which sections had the most drop-off? This feedback helps improve future comms.
Hybrid Town Halls: The Best of Both Worlds?
If your leadership team is onsite or you want to create that in-the-room buzz, a hybrid town hall might be the sweet spot. These events combine an in-person audience with a live-streamed feed – meaning you don’t lose the connection, but expand your reach.
At Stream7, we specialise in making hybrid seamless. That means:
- Multiple camera angles and pro audio
- A dedicated stream for BSL interpreters or captions
- Live moderation of online questions and polls
- Replays, highlight reels and transcripts within 24 hours
It’s not just about ticking the tech box – it’s about creating a joined-up experience where everyone feels included and valued.
So… Should You Go Virtual, Hybrid or In-Person?
There’s no one-size-fits-all. But here are a few quick tips:
| If you… | Consider… |
|---|---|
| Have teams across the UK or globe | Virtual or hybrid |
| Want to keep costs low | Virtual |
| Need to include field-based or shift workers | On-demand virtual |
| Want high energy and face-to-face moments | In-person or hybrid |
| Care about accessibility and inclusion | Virtual or hybrid |
Final Thoughts
In a world where flexible working is here to stay, how we connect with our teams matters more than ever.
At Stream7, we help organisations deliver powerful town halls, all-hands meetings, and internal broadcasts – whether that’s live from your HQ, a local studio, or streamed from multiple locations around the world.
Whatever your format, we’ll make sure it runs smoothly, looks professional, and keeps your people engaged.
Ready to rethink your town hall?
Get in touch to chat about your next event – or check out our case studies to see how we’ve helped other organisations go live with confidence.
