Teams Meeting vs Webinar vs Town Hall: Which to Use

Planning an event in Teams? Learn whether a regular meeting, a webinar, or a town hall fits best. Teams town halls replaced the old Teams live events.

In this article

 
Meeting
Webinar
Town hall
Best for
Classes, team meetings, small events
Trainings and info sessions where people register
All-staff meetings, big announcements, chapel-style broadcasts
Audience
Everyone can talk, share, and chat
Attendees can interact; presenters lead
Attendees watch only; they can't unmute or show video
Registration
No
Yes, with a registration page
No
Q&A
Meeting chat
Chat and Q&A
Moderated Q&A

Start one

In the Teams Calendar, select the arrow next to New and pick Event (a regular meeting), Webinar, or Town hall. NCU also has Class and Lecture meeting templates under Organization templates, set up for teaching.

Tips for big events

  • Add co-organizers or presenters so you're not running it alone. See How To: Add Co-organizers and Presenters to a Teams Meeting.
  • Do a practice run with your presenters before the real event.
  • The Office of Innovation & Technology doesn't produce or run events, but can help with Teams questions ahead of time.

Get help

Still need help? Submit a request through Microsoft Teams, call the IT Service Desk at 612.343.4170, or visit Miller Hall 226.