Glaucoma UK
Medical
Hybrid Event
2022
The UK and Éire Glaucoma Society (UKEGS) conference is a key event in the ophthalmology calendar, bringing together clinicians, researchers, and medical professionals to explore the latest developments in glaucoma treatment and care. In 2022, following two years of virtual-only events, the society was eager to return to an in-person format—while retaining the accessibility and flexibility that online platforms provide.
The answer lay in a hybrid approach. By combining the energy of a live conference with the broad reach of streaming, UKEGS could engage both onsite delegates and remote participants across the UK and beyond.
Glaucoma UK partnered with Stream7 to deliver this vision. Tasked with designing and executing a robust hybrid event, we were responsible for live streaming all main sessions, integrating remote presenters - including a live speaker from Australia - and providing seamless video distribution throughout the historic IET Austin Court venue.
Glaucoma UK’s strategic goals for the UKEGS 2022 conference included:
Enabling delegates to attend the medical conference both physically and virtually.
Ensuring high-quality, low-latency streaming to remote audiences.
Seamlessly integrating international remote presenters into the live programme.
Distributing video feeds internally between breakout spaces without extensive cabling or disruption.
Maintaining a professional, polished AV experience that upheld the reputation of UKEGS as a leading medical association.
Achieving all of this required careful planning, expert technical design, and close coordination with venue staff and the Glaucoma UK event team.
The choice of venue - IET Austin Court in Birmingham - offered many advantages, including historic charm and central accessibility. However, the venue also posed logistical challenges for a hybrid setup:
Limited pre-installed AV infrastructure for multi-room video distribution.
Restrictions on extensive cabling due to the heritage status of the building.
Multiple breakout rooms spread across different areas of the site.
A tight event schedule that allowed little room for technical errors or delays.
Adding to the complexity was the inclusion of international speakers joining live from different time zones, requiring a system that could guarantee broadcast-quality two-way video and audio across long distances.
Stream7’s approach was tailored specifically to overcome the venue’s limitations while meeting the client’s ambitions for a world-class hybrid medical conference.
Rather than attempting to cable the entire venue, Stream7 designed a solution based around low-latency IP streaming across the venue’s existing internet infrastructure.
Using lightweight encoders and NDI technology (Network Device Interface), we were able to stream the main plenary sessions live to screens and projectors in the breakout rooms. This enabled delegates in different parts of the building to follow the keynote presentations without the need for disruptive wiring or temporary AV installations.
The primary sessions were captured using broadcast-standard cameras operated by Stream7’s experienced crew. A mobile vision mixing setup allowed live switching between camera angles, slide decks, and speaker close-ups.
Audio feeds were taken directly from the venue’s sound desk to ensure clear, crisp sound for the live stream, including for online viewers. The conference was broadcast in real time to a secure branded platform, allowing registered attendees to view the sessions remotely with minimal delay.
A key feature of UKEGS 2022 was the inclusion of international speakers, including a specialist presenting live from Brisbane, Australia.
Stream7 provided a broadcast-quality remote contribution workflow, offering:
Full technical rehearsals with all remote speakers before the event.
Professional video call systems ensuring synchronised audio-visual feeds.
A virtual “green room” for remote speakers to liaise with the production team before going live.
Onsite producers to cue remote presenters and manage transitions during the live programme.
This setup ensured that remote presentations blended seamlessly with in-person talks, preserving the professional atmosphere of the conference.
Stream7 also supplied:
Confidence monitors for in-room speakers to see slides and remote contributions.
Countdown timers and speaker support tools to keep sessions on schedule.
Full on-site technical backup, including contingency plans for connectivity issues.
The UKEGS 2022 hybrid conference was executed flawlessly, delivering a polished experience for both live and remote attendees.
Key achievements included:
High-quality live streaming with no interruptions or major technical issues.
Seamless integration of remote speakers, with audience members unable to distinguish between in-person and virtual presenters.
Clear, professional video distribution to all onsite breakout rooms without impacting the building’s historic fabric.
Positive feedback from attendees, who praised the accessibility of the hybrid format and the quality of the AV production.
In their post-event report, Glaucoma UK highlighted Stream7’s calm professionalism, adaptability under pressure, and outstanding technical delivery.
The success of UKEGS 2022 demonstrates how hybrid events can expand the reach of traditional medical and scientific conferences without losing the essential live experience.
By blending streaming, remote speaker technology, and intelligent onsite distribution, Stream7 enabled Glaucoma UK to:
Reach more delegates than ever before.
Reduce barriers to participation (including cost and travel constraints).
Increase international engagement.
Future-proof the conference format for years to come.
As medical conferences continue to evolve post-pandemic, hybrid models like this will become increasingly important for professional societies and healthcare associations worldwide.
Stream7 specialises in producing high-quality hybrid events for medical and scientific audiences. Our services include:
Multi-camera live streaming and production
Remote speaker management and virtual green rooms
Video distribution solutions for complex venues
Post-event content creation for on-demand viewing
Technical support tailored to sensitive healthcare environments
If you’re planning a conference or medical conference and need expert support, get in touch with Stream7 today.
