CultureCon USA: Building a Digital Twin for a Truly Hybrid Conference

Keywords: hybrid conference platform, premium live stream events, virtual expo booths, digital twin conferences

CultureCon USA wanted to expand the reach of its annual conference without diluting the experience for virtual attendees. The solution was not another livestream. It was a digital twin.

Partnering with Gatherly, CultureCon recreated its in‑person venue as a multi‑floor digital environment. Over 200 virtual attendees joined from around the world, navigating the space just as on‑site participants navigated the physical venue.

Main stage broadcasts were streamed across select floors, while other areas were reserved for online‑only networking. Sponsors with physical booths were mirrored digitally, allowing virtual attendees to organically discover products, collect digital freebies, and start conversations.

Perhaps most importantly, Gatherly enabled interaction between in‑person and online audiences, breaking down the traditional divide of hybrid events.

Why it worked!

Gatherly treated virtual attendees as first‑class participants, not spectators, delivering equal access, engagement, and sponsor value.