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…
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…
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…
Ontario has eased restrictions on the indoor capacity for meeting and event facilities. Facilities can now have up to 50 guests in each indoor meeting room or event space, so as long as they abide by a plan approved by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (OCMOH). “As the province gradually and safely reopens, our government is continuing to promote a safe approach to reopening businesses to boost Ontario’s economic and social recovery,” says Lisa MacLeod, Minister…
Six event professionals have been inducted into Canadian Meetings and Events Expo’s (CMEExpo) hall of fame. Creative Group’s Diane Alexander is the 2020 industry volunteer. The category recognizes an individual planner or supplier who gives freely of their time or expertise in the promotion of industry associations, groups, professional industry chapters or charity work. Montreal event planner Daniela Caputo has been named an industry mentor. This honour celebrates a planner or supplier who, through their expertise, professional influence or academic…
A partnership between GlobalSign.in and Interprefy will allow organizers that are planning events, webinars, conferences and meetings on GEVME Live digital events platform to host those gatherings in multiple languages in real-time. “Digital events surpass geographical boundaries, allowing people to attend regardless of where they are in the world,” says GlobalSign.in CEO, Veemal Gungadin. “With this exciting partnership with Interprefy, participation in digital events is also no longer fettered by language, enabling event owners and organizers to easily host truly…
Marriott International has introduced a series of efforts to help event hosts and organizers plan and execute meetings so attendees can “connect with confidence.” The changes include enhanced sanitation guidelines, new operational training for associates and increased use of conference technologies to ensure customers are able to come together when they are ready. Marriott has also created more content on its digital platform about redefined processes and reimagined spaces to provide additional context and information for designing successful events in the…
COVID-19 has dealt the events industry a blow that far surpasses any other occurrence in modern history. No business has been left untouched but while some have crippled under the coronavirus outbreak, others have pivoted in ways they wouldn’t have imagined months ago when the outlook for 2020 was so bright. “Prior to the pandemic my team was planning hybrid events, which combines live in-person and virtual components. Now our offerings are primarily virtual-only,” explains Alicia Jenelle of her self-named…
With Alberta greenlighting indoor trade shows and exhibiting events, and other provinces likely to soon follow-suit, you may be eager (and have the opportunity) to squeeze an event in before the year is out. And rightfully so! Since March, the events industry has made do with virtual options, which, although effective, do not compare to the magic of a live event. But much has changed since pre-COVID-19. Where do you start? Here’s what you should consider as you embark on…
With strong lockdown measures instituted in March to stymie the spread of COVID-19, the roller coaster of emotions that comes with executing an event came to a standstill. But in late June, I got the opportunity to get back on that ride for a two-day international trade show. Say what? How inappropriate during a pandemic! What was even more tasteless is I attended the event in my slippers, no makeup and hardly dressed for the business occasion. I am of…
