SQLBits
Corporate
Hybrid Event
2024
SQLBits is Europe’s largest and most highly regarded data platform conference, drawing together experts, practitioners, and industry leaders from across the globe. In 2023, the event returned in full force at the International Convention Centre Wales – embracing a forward-looking hybrid event model that would allow both in-person and virtual participation.
With multiple conference tracks, hundreds of speakers, an expansive exhibition hall, and thousands of attendees, SQLBits needed a production partner who could handle the technical complexity of a live event while ensuring a smooth, high-quality online experience.
Stream7 was engaged to manage the streaming, technical production, and integration of the event platform (Canapii) – creating an end-to-end solution that powered a vibrant, interactive hybrid conference environment.
The event organisers were clear on their ambitions for SQLBits 2023. They wanted to:
Deliver a fully inclusive hybrid event format, allowing participants from around the world to attend live or virtually.
Use a robust and flexible event platform to manage registrations, session scheduling, networking, and exhibitor engagement.
Stream live keynote sessions, workshops, and breakout talks professionally, ensuring consistency of experience for remote audiences.
Support exhibitors and sponsors in engaging both in-person and virtual visitors.
Provide opportunities for attendees to connect, network, and participate actively, no matter their location.
This required not just technical expertise, but a deep understanding of hybrid conference dynamics and audience expectations.
At the ICC Wales, Stream7 deployed a large-scale, multi-room production setup, providing:
Multi-camera coverage across keynote stages, session rooms, and training workshops.
Broadcast-quality live switching, allowing dynamic transitions between speakers, audience shots, slides, and remote presenters.
Professional audio capture to deliver clear sound both onsite and to online attendees.
Live encoding and streaming to the Canapii platform for real-time remote viewing.
Each session was also recorded in high definition for later on-demand access, providing additional value for attendees and content longevity for SQLBits.
Stream7’s mobile production hubs allowed rapid setup between different rooms and session types – essential for an event with so many parallel tracks and a packed agenda.
In addition to onsite speakers, SQLBits welcomed remote speakers from across the globe. Stream7 handled the technical integration of these virtual contributors into the live programme.
Each remote presenter received:
A dedicated tech check session before the event.
Access to a remote green room where they could liaise with producers.
Clear cues for timing, slide sharing, and audience engagement.
By using professional contribution platforms instead of consumer-grade video calling tools, Stream7 ensured that remote presentations matched the quality of onsite talks – maintaining the professional standard attendees expect from a leading conference.
A key pillar of the hybrid event was the event platform provided by Canapii, which Stream7 helped integrate and configure for SQLBits’ needs.
The platform offered:
Custom registration portals for different ticket types (physical attendee, online-only delegate, sponsor, speaker).
Interactive agendas that allowed attendees to build personal schedules and access live or recorded sessions with a click.
Networking tools for private messaging, meeting scheduling, and interest-based matchmaking.
Gamification and prize draws to incentivise engagement with sponsors and content.
Stream7 worked closely with Canapii and the SQLBits team to ensure seamless connection between live session outputs and the platform, giving virtual attendees a smooth, high-quality experience.
Support staff were available to help attendees with login, technical queries, and session navigation throughout the event.
With dozens of exhibitors occupying the exhibition floor, it was crucial to ensure that sponsors and vendors could engage with both in-person and online audiences.
Stream7’s exhibition support included:
Live booth streaming – enabling sponsors to run live demos viewable by virtual attendees.
Interactive Q&A sessions with exhibitors via the platform.
Recorded booth tours so online delegates could browse exhibition stands virtually.
Sponsor branding integration into live streams and breakout rooms.
This hybrid exhibition approach maximised sponsor ROI and ensured that the exhibitor experience was fully embedded into the conference narrative – both onsite and online.
The delivery of SQLBits 2023 was a clear success, meeting and exceeding all project goals.
Key achievements included:
Over 6,000 attendees combined across physical and virtual platforms.
Multiple parallel session streams broadcast live without downtime or disruption.
High engagement levels through the event platform’s networking and agenda tools.
Positive feedback from attendees, speakers, and sponsors about the seamless hybrid format.
On-demand session content made available post-event, extending the reach and value of the conference.
SQLBits 2023 showed that with the right production and platform partnerships, hybrid conferences and exhibitions can create more opportunities for learning, networking, and brand exposure than ever before.
The successful execution of SQLBits 2023 demonstrates the powerful potential of hybrid events. By combining cutting-edge production techniques, expert streaming, platform integration, and a deep understanding of conference logistics, Stream7 helped SQLBits deliver an inclusive, dynamic experience for participants around the world.
At a time when flexibility, accessibility, and interactivity are paramount, this project highlights the role of a well-managed hybrid model in ensuring that professional events thrive.
Stream7 specialises in:
Multi-camera live streaming for conferences and exhibitions
Event platform integration and management
Remote speaker onboarding and support
Exhibition hall streaming and virtual booth creation
Content capture and post-event on-demand delivery
Whether you’re planning your first hybrid event or looking to improve your existing strategy, we’re here to help you create exceptional experiences for every attendee – wherever they are.
Contact Stream7 today to discuss your next project.
