Event Operations

  • How Contracts and Negotiations have Changed with COVID-19

    2020/11/18

    The events industry was among the first sectors hit by the pandemic and will be one of the last to recover, forcing many event professionals to cancel or postpone scheduled events. In the process, it has raised questions (and concern) around contracts and ensuing obligations. Here, Heather Reid, founder and CEO of Planner Protect, an Ontario-based contract review agency that negotiates event contracts for organizations and those hosting events, fields Corporate Meetings Network’s questions on this all-too important topic during…

  • Lessons Learned from Moving a Massive In-Person Event Online

    2020/11/17

    Taking the well-oiled machine that is Cvent CONNECT and transforming it into an entirely new experience wasn’t easy. From the initial pivot to getting buy-in, strategically designing the event to new technology considerations, Cvent’s director of meetings and events, Rachel Andrews, and senior manager of meetings and events, Paulina Curto, share lessons learned from moving the world’s largest event technology and hospitality conference online. The Digital Pivot While pre-event risk conversations occurred back in 2019, the decision to go virtual…

  • Do You Need Virtual Event Insurance?

    2020/11/04

    With more events making the switch to virtual, event organizers are having to deal with a whole new set of risks. Many of the factors involved in running in-person events still apply but there are others that you may not have considered. One area that’s often overlooked is insurance. So, I spoke with experts at Event Insurance Services Ltd. Here’s what you should know before taking your next event online. Insurance Coverage Traditional events have always required comprehensive insurance policies.…

  • Predictions for the Events Industry in the Post-Pandemic Era

    2020/10/21

    The global spread of COVID-19 has transformed daily life and, like most business sectors, the events industry has evolved and adapted to cope with the new normal. In doing so, it has entered a new phase where changes are likely to endure into the post-pandemic period. Here, three industry experts — Carly Silberstein of Redstone Agency, Ruby Sohi of Royal Blue Events Management and Theresa Beenken of the National Speakers Bureau — provide their predictions on how the events industry…

  • The Real Cost of Hosting a Webinar

    2020/10/20

    One of the first (and most important) questions people ask when exploring webinar options is, how much will it cost? Understanding the expenses associated with a webinar is key to being able to project and manage your return on investment. Webinar Platform The most obvious cost associated with running a webinar is the platform. Some simple platforms are free up to a certain number of attendees, while more advanced technologies typically require that you pay a monthly or annual fee…

  • Products to Help Attendees Physically Distance at Events

    2020/10/06

    Have you accidentally come within two metres of another person during COVID times? The answer is no doubt yes. People are social beings who seek closeness with others. It’s human nature and therefore bound to happen. So how can we help attendees comply with social distancing rules at events? While it’s an event planner’s responsibility to ensure a venue allows for physical distancing, simply having that space does not guarantee it will occur. Here are four products that can assist…

  • Adapting your Sampling, Promotions Strategy in the New Normal

    2020/09/15

    COVID-19 has, without a doubt, taken the world by storm. It’s halted industries and stopped most social gatherings. Beyond this, it’s created a new normalcy. Some might say the pandemic has been the biggest driver of change in recent decades (or even a century). But what does this mean for the sampling and promotions industry? Take-Home Method The days where you simply walk over to a counter for a sample are gone. As consumers prioritize health and safety, smart sampling…

  • The Show Must Go On: Safe Practices for the Return of Live Events

    2020/09/15

    The return of in-person conferences and events is crucial to helping economies recover. They attract exhibitors and attendees from all over the world, generating millions of dollars in tourism revenue, and support tens of thousands of jobs across a multitude of industries. As co-chair of the Exhibition Services and Contractors Association’s health and safety committee and a member of the industry event and health advisory group for the Global Biorisk Advisory Council, a division of the worldwide cleaning industry association…

  • How Best to Monetize your Online Event  

    2020/09/01

    Now almost six months into the worldwide pandemic, most businesses have pivoted from in-person gatherings to virtual events. But despite more people than ever using online platforms, companies continue to struggle with monetization, which may be essential to their survival amid the economic chaos wrought by COVID-19. While there are a variety of methods to earn income from virtual events — ticket sales, paid access to selective streams and upgrades for premium session content, to name a few — perhaps…

  • Celebrities take Virtual Events to Next Level without Excessive Price Tag  

    2020/09/01

    Have you always wanted to hire a celebrity to speak at a meeting or event but it was out of your financial reach? That’s likely not the case anymore. The rise of virtual events has made celebrity talent more accessible and affordable than ever. In the past, booking a celebrity was expensive and didn’t necessarily result in a positive return on investment. Costs associated with high-end talent included artist and agency fees, entourage travel, hotel rooms and catering. Then there…

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