Four fifths (80%) of advisers would like a mixture of face-to-face and virtual events going forward, after Covid-19 restrictions forced events to take place online, a survey by SimplyBiz Group has revealed.
The business support firm said it will now deliver a hybrid event programme in line with feedback from its members, after receiving over 5,000 registrations to its virtual events during May and June.
SimplyBiz plans to host a series of 21 regional events across the UK in September to deliver its Learning and Development Events and Investment Forums, with live streams of the events broadcast on the group’s virtual platform.
In addition, SimplyBiz will host virtual-only events including a series of ESG-focused events, further training and knowledge workshops and training on the group’s end-to-end advice system Centra.
A similar approach will be taken by the group across a number of its services, including compliance visits which have taken place virtually during lockdown.
Richard Ardron, marketing director, SimplyBiz Group, said: “When social distancing rules first came into effect, we moved very quickly to ensure that our members could continue to receive the high-quality and expansive learning and development programme to which they are accustomed, and we have been overwhelmed by the engagement through our new virtual platform
“Whilst this innovative way of delivering events was a great way to meet both advisers’ demands and to tackle restrictions at the time, it was always our intention to look to offer more events this way alongside our more traditional delivery. With advisers now telling us that they would like a mix of event type (virtual and physical), we will be offering a hybrid programme, ensuring we offer choice and breadth of learning to suit advisers, whilst meeting wider requirements around safety for all.”
