European Webinar Platforms and Hybrid Events: Why Europe Must Refocus on Its Own Digital Infrastructure
- Christophe Lenaerts
- Feb 11
- 3 min read
By Christophe Lenaerts, Co-Founder & CCO of 2 Stream
As preparations are underway this morning at the Handelsbeurs in Antwerp for the European Industry Summit, Europe’s leaders are set to debate competitiveness and industrial resilience. But one strategic dimension still deserves greater attention:
How independent is Europe in its digital communication infrastructure?
From manufacturing to energy, strategic autonomy is a central theme. But digital sovereignty — especially in the field of webinars and hybrid events — deserves equal attention.
Because Europe’s voice depends on the platforms that carry it.
The Strategic Importance of European Webinar Platforms
Today, most European institutions and companies rely on global collaboration platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Webex and Google Meet.
These tools serve daily internal meetings well.
However, when it comes to institutional webinars, public hybrid conferences and strategic digital events, the requirements are different.
A professional European webinar platform should offer:
GDPR-compliant hosting within Europe
Secure data governance
Broadcast-quality streaming
Multilingual live translation and subtitling
Full technical production control
Institutional-grade reliability
Strategic communication deserves strategic infrastructure.
Hybrid Events in Europe: More Than Just Online Meetings
There is a clear distinction between internal collaboration tools and professional hybrid event platforms.
Internal tools are designed for:
Team meetings
Internal coordination
Informal interaction
Hybrid event platforms are designed for:
European policy conferences
Institutional webinars
Shareholder meetings
Cross-border corporate communication
Public-facing digital events
When European administrations organise high-level hybrid events, relying exclusively on non-European digital infrastructure creates structural dependency.
Digital sovereignty is not about exclusion — it is about resilience.
Digital Sovereignty and Economic Coherence
Across industries, Europe is reflecting on how public procurement and industrial policy align with long-term strategic objectives.
The same logic applies to digital infrastructure.
If European public funds support hybrid events, digital conferences or large-scale webinars, reinforcing European streaming providers and European webinar platforms strengthens local innovation ecosystems.
Competitiveness is built through:
Investment
Procurement decisions
Ecosystem support
Strategic alignment
European SMEs play a crucial role in specialised sectors such as secure hybrid events and institutional streaming.
Why GDPR-Compliant European Streaming Matters
Data governance and compliance are no longer secondary concerns.
A GDPR-compliant webinar platform hosted in Europe provides:
Clear regulatory alignment
Reduced legal complexity
Transparent data management
Greater institutional trust
For European institutions, associations and corporations, using a European streaming provider is not only a technical choice — it is a strategic one.
From Debate to Practical Action
The discussions in Antwerp and Limburg highlight the need to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness.
Strategic autonomy becomes real through daily operational choices — including the selection of webinar platforms, hybrid event partners and digital infrastructure providers.
Refocusing on European business does not mean closing doors to global cooperation.
It means ensuring that Europe builds, supports and strengthens its own digital ecosystem — especially in strategic communication environments.
At 2 Stream, our European webinar platform and hybrid event infrastructure are developed in Belgium and hosted within Europe. We support institutions and companies with secure, GDPR-compliant streaming solutions designed for high-impact communication.
If Europe wants to project a strong voice globally,
it must also strengthen the platforms that carry that voice.
Christophe Lenaerts
Co-Founder & CCO
2 Stream – European Webinar Platform & Hybrid Event Provider
Comments