A Planner’s Health Safety Checklist for Live Meetings and Events

June 18, 2020

Matt Laws

Matt Laws is President and CEO of Safe Expo, which offers pre-event health planning support, onsite implementation and post-event health monitoring for live meetings and events. Born in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company was founded by event and medical professionals to help educate producers and planners and prepare them to deal with the new health safety concerns that events are facing. 

 

 

As the meetings and events industry continues to navigate the shifting post-pandemic landscape, planning and integrating the multitude of health safety updates will become essential to the successful return of in-person meetings and events. Attendees will require reassurance that the venue and event organizers take adequate precautions to execute social distancing best practices to keep them safe. Going forward, it is the event planner's responsibility to ensure events are prepared and to communicate important health safety information to their participants.

As groups begin this monumental task of re-starting the event planning process, they will encounter different timelines based on state and local policies. As Disney World in Florida plans to re-open in July, it is likely that live events will soon follow with some form of revised safety precautions and most noticeably a scaled-down attendance.

Some cities and states will take more time to ensure the safety regulations can be implemented on their timeline, not necessarily that of any industry pressures. For example, on June 3, Chicago entered Phase 3 of its re-opening plan, but conventions and other large events won’t return until Phase 5. The timing between phases is uncertain due to progress being dependent on infection rate and strain on the healthcare system.

Currently, health safety is a moving target with policies and guidelines changing as more is learned about COVID-19. The following checklist of to-do items is designed for reference as you plan your live event.

Pre-Event Activities:

  • Obtain the most up-to-date guidelines and safety requirements from each venue where your event will be hosting functions.
  • Designate a point of contact from your organization to establish an open line of communication with a representative from the local health department.
  • Monitor statewide announcements from the Governor’s Office that may impact your event.
  • Ask your venue(s) if any other event(s) are being held during the same time period to understand the traffic flow and any potential "mixing" of groups.
  • Purchase any required health safety products such as hand sanitizer, masks, other PPE or thermometers if your venues do not provide them.
  • Notify all event participants of the onsite procedures so that there are no surprises when they arrive onsite.

Onsite Activities:

  • Implement on-site health safety procedures and requirements for attendance.
  • Distribute health safety products as needed.
  • Communicate with your venues to ensure safe practices are being maintained for both front-of-house as well as back-of-house.
  • Continue to check with local and state resources to receive daily briefings and updates.
  • Monitor event participants’ health and report any instances of COVID-19 to the proper channels.

Post-Event Activities:

  • Create and collect a post-event survey that includes questions about the safety procedures you implemented so that you can understand how they were received by your participants.
  • Continue communication with your venues to determine if they have seen any post-event outbreaks inside their facilities that could impact the health of your group.

While we look forward to the return of in-person meetings and events, we are seeing a high percentage of groups include some form of virtual experience into their planning, as well. Tapping into hybrid options will allow for potentially greater outreach while also helping with liability options that may come into play with any new health safety procedures you implement for the onsite portion of your event.

Once you establish your health safety plan, you can communicate the information to your attendees, providing transparency and awareness. Having a health safety plan in place will give both you and your attendees peace of mind that health safety is paramount.

 

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Partner Voices
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact