A bold look at the real costs of mixing in-person and remote participants — and what we’re losing in the name of flexibility.
At HUONE, we live and breathe business meetings and events. We’ve seen the meeting culture shift dramatically post-pandemic — and we’re not here to say hybrid meetings don’t have their place. They do. Flexibility, accessibility, and cost-efficiency are valid reasons to embrace remote participation.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth: many hybrid meetings are simply not working.
They’ve become the default — not because they’re the best format, but because they’re the easiest. And in that ease, we may be sacrificing some of the most powerful elements of what in-person meetings were always meant to do: drive clarity, build alignment, spark engagement, and create commitment.
It’s time to ask the harder question: Just because everyone can join remotely, should they?
1. The Rise of Hybrid: A Win for Flexibility
When the world shifted in 2020, we adapted fast. Hybrid meetings helped companies survive, stay connected, and operate across borders. The benefits are real:
- Reduced travel costs
- Broader inclusion for distributed teams
- Greater flexibility for busy schedules
Hybrid felt like a win-win. But over time, the cracks have started to show.
2. The Reality on the Ground: Split Attention, Split Experience
Running a hybrid meeting is like hosting two events at once. Facilitators are stuck juggling between screens and live attendees, constantly trying to “make it fair.”
In practice, this means:
- Slower discussions, delayed decisions
- Remote attendees tuning out
- On-site participants feeling held back
We’ve hosted countless strategy days, offsites, and workshops at HUONE, and one thing keeps happening: when 1/3 of the group joins remotely, the experience suffers for all.
3. What Are We Losing?
There’s a reason offsites and in-person meetings were standard for strategic work. When we gather in a space designed for connection, magic happens:
- Unplanned conversations that spark ideas
- Non-verbal cues that align teams faster
- The sense of shared time and commitment
These moments don’t translate well on Zoom.
4. Can We Talk About Commitment?
Here’s a bold question: Is joining remotely a signal of lower commitment?
Not always. But showing up in person — especially for strategy sessions or workshops — sends a message: “This matters. I’m here. I’m engaged.”
And that message impacts the energy in the room.
5. The Role of the Venue: More Than Just a Space
At HUONE, we don’t just offer rooms. We offer environments built to:
- Minimize distractions
- Maximize engagement
- Help teams align and move forward
A great venue takes care of everything else so you can focus on what matters: your people and your purpose.
6. A Call for More Intentionality
Hybrid is not going away. But it shouldn’t be the default for every meeting.
Before you send that calendar invite, pause and ask:
- What’s the purpose of this meeting?
- Who really needs to be in the room?
- What kind of outcomes are we hoping for?
Choose the format that best supports those answers.
Final Thought? We’re not against hybrid. We’re just pro-better meeting experience
So what’s the way forward? We’re not saying scrap hybrid altogether. There are meetings that absolutely benefit from it. But we encourage companies to be intentional. Ask yourself: Is this meeting meant to build trust? Spark innovation? Solve complex problems? Then consider the format carefully. Because not all meetings should be hybrid, just because they can be.
And here’s our bold thought: The future of work is not just remote or flexible—it’s purposeful.
At HUONE, we believe meetings and events should be seen as a natural extension of a company’s strategy. More and more, companies are being intentional about how and when they gather people in person—whether it’s to strengthen company culture, spark innovation, or rebuild trust after long periods of remote work.
So next time you’re planning a session, don’t just ask who’s attending. Ask why you’re meeting in the first place—and what format will truly serve that purpose.