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Global event agency Freeman and virtual and hybrid event platform Hubilo kicked off the month with an announcement that the two industry leaders were joining forces to debut a cohesive platform combining Hubilo’s technology-based offerings with Freeman’s event planning know-how.
To get the run-down on what the new offering is all about—plus how it will shape the future of the event industry—BizBash picked the brains of Vaibhav Jain, CEO of Hubilo, and Janet Dell, president and COO of Freeman. 
"To put this in a simple way, it is an online venue for our clients to host events," Hubilo's CEO Vaibhav Jain said of the new offering, noting that the technology is not only scalable based on the number of attendees, but is also native to the platform.Photo: Courtesy of Freeman and Hubilo
Why did this partnership make sense for both companies?
CEO of Hubilo Vaibhav JainPhoto: Courtesy of Hubilo
Vaibhav Jain: The collaboration with Freeman felt like the right next step. With Freeman’s strategic expertise and Hubilo’s capabilities, we intend to bring people together across countries and cultures irrespective of geographical and language barriers.
Can you explain exactly how this new digital event component works?
VJ: To put this in a simple way, it is an online venue for our clients to host events. Since it's based on scalable technology, it scales dynamically to accommodate virtual attendees across all of our events. Most of our capabilities are native to the platform, and through it, we aim to boost engagement across audience segments while enabling organizers to create unique experiences.
JD: To date, Freeman’s virtual event solutions have been tailored to high-end, custom events only. Clients had to use a slew of providers, which was costly and resource-intensive. With Hubilo’s technology and platform, we’ll bring together Freeman’s strategic expertise and planning know-how combined with their virtual event platform for a one-stop approach to planning and managing both live and digital aspects of events.
What new offerings does the platform feature?
VJ: Designed as a hybrid and virtual event platform to foster human connections, the platform offers the industry's most comprehensive suite of engagement and gamification features, enterprise security, integrations and data analytics. These features make Hubilo the ultimate solution for keeping attendees engaged in sessions and with each other, measuring and optimizing event outcomes and creating immersive experiences.
JD: By combining with Hubilo’s innovative platform, we’ll bring Freeman customers capabilities that include custom branding, mobile ready, personalized networking, break out sessions, digital booths, virtual happy hours and more, with no limits on attendees, exhibitors and sessions.
President and COO of Freeman Janet DellPhoto: Courtesy of Freeman
VJ: Hubilo’s platform's availability will be as easy and seamless as earlier; it was/is available on all platforms (Apple, Android, etc.) and all types of devices (mobile, laptop, tablet. etc). With Freeman, as Janet mentioned, we shall be developing more customized events according to the organizer’s requirements and preferences while ensuring that they are readily available for all the attendees through a simple sign-in link.
JD: Through this partnership, and by working with Freeman, all aspects of hybrid or digital events can seamlessly be managed regardless of size or needs, through a single team and contract. Easiest way (to access it) if you’re a current customer is to contact your Freeman rep or reach out to us on our website!
How do you hope this partnership improves the industry?
VJ: Hubilo’s most comprehensive suite of engagement features, personal client experience team and custom branding tools have helped create over 12,000 events to date. Along with Freeman’s 100-year-old legacy in event management, together, we shall meet the demand of the ever-changing event landscape and deliver what the event organizers are looking for; may it be for live, virtual or hybrid events.
JD: The beauty of this partnership is it’s the perfect marriage of legacy meets entrepreneurship. We’ll be able to create some exciting and new experiences for our customers by thinking about their entire journey. We know virtual, hybrid and in-person all play a role based on customers needs, and this partnership helps fulfill that.
Dell said of the partnership: "With Hubilo’s technology and platform, we’ll bring together Freeman’s strategic expertise and planning know-how combined with their virtual event platform for a one-stop approach to planning and managing both live and digital aspects of events."Photo: Courtesy of Freeman and Hubilo
