Toby Heelis
Toby Heelis is the CEO of Eventopedia. He has spent the last 20 years leading the meeting and events industry operating and marketing event venues.
Your Event Might Be COVID-Secure, but What If Attendees Still Aren’t Comfortable?
November 12, 2020
Any respected and well-run venue will be ready and waiting for bookings, with the doors wide open and COVID-friendly measures in place to ensure all attendees are safe and distanced. However, venues are likely to operate at reduced capacity, meaning the event cannot reach its full potential.
Many people across North America and in the U.K. are still reluctant to attend events, and organizers also run the risk of closing their doors to those from outside of those countries. Despite the issues, there is still much that can be done. After all, the events industry has always been an adaptable one.
Go hybrid
In England, for example, live events cannot exceed 30 guests at the moment. The most obvious solution for hosting larger events is, of course, the hybrid format. Over the past months, the events industry has been adapting to the online landscape, and those who’ve had a head start will also be the first to embrace hybrid events, even with a small pool of live attendees.
Hybrid events can offer the “normal” experience to a number of guests, while also providing the option for countless others to attend remotely at a reduced price. It’s a great way to get the live events sector up and running again, something the industry has been waiting for during these past months – venues, service providers and countless freelancers who rely on live events.
If we want to see successful hybrid events becoming the norm, we need to address two urgent aspects. Firstly, regarding the virtual aspect of going hybrid, attendee engagement has been a big struggle, and it will need to be improved. Virtual events are still relatively new to most, and event profs are constantly learning how to offer a more engaging experience. Secondly, when it comes to the live aspect of hybrid events, a key issue to be addressed is a lack of confidence.
Increased transparency
Despite the need to restart live events, many event professionals are mainly planning to organize virtual events in the near future. There’s a palpable lack of confidence surrounding live events – in the preventive measures of venues and event planners – that generally isn’t justified.
For live events to get back to business, we first need to reduce fears and regain a sense of security. The good news is that the sector is addressing these issues. We can see numerous events associations pushing for more information, clearer best practices, more data and more unity.
The overwhelming majority of venues and event organizers are already following the requirements for safe events – they’ve been preparing for this moment for months. And in order to properly adapt to cater to the industry, transparency will be key. Guests as well as event professionals will want to easily see that all the measures are in place. Various types of accreditation could be a potential solution for reassuring the public.
Events in 2021
As we’re nearing the end of this year, the events sector is anxiously waiting for 2021. What next year will look like will largely depend on how the COVID-19 crisis evolves, but there’s good reason for hope.
Most likely, 2021 will be a busier year for the events industry. We will be better prepared next year, in all aspects of event management. By the end of next year, virtual and hybrid events will have evolved significantly, and event professionals will know how to make the most out of the increasingly helpful technologies.
Live events will also recover gradually, as public confidence increases. Yes, live events will still have to run at reduced capacity for the time being, but the flexible industry will find ways to make it work. For example, venues are allowed to host multiple simultaneous events as long as they adhere to specific measures and the groups don’t overlap. Thus, we might see venues dividing their larger event spaces to adapt to the new situation, hosting many smaller events. And these smaller events, which will require space and various services, are a great first step for a recovering industry.
Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE and engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram!
Partner Voices
HERE, hosting responsible meetings and caring for our communities are top priorities. Through its 'Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet' philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make an impact in the lives of employees, guests, and the communities in which it operates.
Water Stewardship Efforts
MGM Resorts understands the importance of using water efficiently, especially in the desert destination of Las Vegas. Conserving water has always been part of the mission, but MGM Resorts has expanded its ambition into water stewardship.
In 2022, MGM Resorts President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle signed the CEO Water Mandate—a UN Global Compact initiative mobilizing business leaders to advance water stewardship. MGM Resorts International was the first gaming company to take this important step.
MGM Resorts replaced 200,000 square feet of real grass with drought-tolerant landscaping in Las Vegas.
MGM Resorts pledges to reduce water withdrawal intensity by 33% by 2025 and by 35% by 2030.
From 2007-2021, use of more than 5.6 billion gallons of water was avoided because of conservation efforts.
Caring for One Another
MGM Resorts’ Food Donations Program collects and preserves unserved food from conventions held at MGM Resorts properties, then safely donates to food insecure people in the community. Since the program’s launch in 2016, more than 3.7 million meals toward a 2025 goal of 5 million meals have been donated into the community. Donations include:
Unserved perishable prepared foods from events
Perishable unprepared food from MGM Resorts’ kitchens
Nonperishable food items from minibars and warehouses
The collaboration with Southern Nevada’s primary food bank, Three Square, has developed the infrastructure needed to safely collect, transport, and store food from MGM Resorts properties in Las Vegas, reducing food waste while serving the community.
Fostering Diversity and Inclusion
To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
MGM Resorts understands its responsibility to contribute to the social and economic progress of the communities in which it operates. HERE, we embrace humanity.
Add new comment