SBJBC hybrid event

Overview

The UK/Saudi Sustainable Investment Forum, held on 13 July 2021 and 2022, was a high-profile hybrid event that brought together key stakeholders to discuss investment opportunities, sustainability initiatives, and economic collaboration between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.

This prestigious forum was a partnership between the Saudi British Joint Business Council (SBJBC), The City of London Corporation, and the Federation of Saudi Chambers. It provided a unique platform for government officials, business leaders, and investors to engage in discussions on sustainable finance, trade, and investment.

Challenges

Organising a large-scale international event during the COVID-19 pandemic presented significant logistical challenges, including:

• Uncertain Event Restrictions – With the possibility of another lockdown at any time, traditional in-person event planning was highly unpredictable. The event needed a flexible and scalable hybrid solution to ensure smooth execution, regardless of restrictions.
• Seamless Collaboration Between Live and Virtual Audiences – The forum needed to accommodate a mix of in-person attendees at Mansion House, London, while simultaneously engaging a global audience, many of whom were based in Saudi Arabia.
• High-Quality Live Streaming and Interaction – The event required a robust digital infrastructure to support high-quality streaming, speaker presentations, and real-time audience engagement, ensuring a seamless experience for both physical and virtual participants.

Solution

To address these challenges, Works Digital developed and delivered a fully integrated hybrid event experience using our OpenDoor platform. The solution included:

• Custom Event Website – A dedicated event platform featuring registration, event overview, agenda, speaker details, and updates to keep participants informed and engaged.
• Live RTMP Streaming – As in-person attendance was permitted at Mansion House, London, we provided high-quality RTMP live streaming, allowing remote participants to watch and engage in real time from Saudi Arabia and beyond.
• Hybrid Event Integration – The platform ensured a seamless connection between physical and digital attendees, enabling speakers and audiences to interact effectively through live Q&As, polls, and discussions.
• Comprehensive Analytics & Reporting – Post-event, detailed broadcast engagement analytics were provided to SBJBC, offering valuable insights into attendee behavior, interaction levels, and session performance.

Impact

The event was a resounding success, leading to its repeat in 2022 due to high demand and positive feedback. The hybrid format enabled wider participation, fostering stronger business ties between the UK and Saudi Arabia.

Client Testimonial

“We have worked with Works Digital twice now on the website for this annual forum and will continue to do so. The website received a lot of compliments from participants and other organisations who produce similar events. We have recommended you to our partners.”
— Cordelia Begbie, Head of Operations at SBJBC

By leveraging digital innovation, Works Digital helped SBJBC deliver a highly engaging and impactful forum, strengthening international investment discussions in a rapidly evolving economic landscape.