The past two years have brought immense change to the world. All industries and people have had to adapt to the changing economic, political, and social climate as a result of COVID-19. Many of these changes have drawn attention to the value of technology and the opportunities that it presents for people to connect going forward. It may seem like we’re on the other side of the pandemic, but we’re not yet in the clear. At the same time,…
We’re stepping into an exciting time for the events and meetings industry; and as I write this piece, I’m filled with confidence and delight. March 1, 2022 was big day for us in the events world here in Toronto as venues went back to operating at full capacity and all of a sudden a huge piece of the planning puzzle just fell in to place! While we move forward in our planning process with a sense of optimism, it…
I caught COVID-19 in early October. It was considered a mild case and I have since recovered. I never experienced shortness of breath or worried about my long-term health, for which I am very grateful. Here’s where it gets interesting. My symptoms started exactly six days prior to the start of a three-day in-person client event — one with a need for high-touch execution across multiple venues on back-to-back days. I want to note that our client’s main focus through the…
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…
The events industry is getting ready for a new landscape as provincial and local governments country-wide lift pandemic-related restrictions on businesses and group gatherings. Recognizing people may be uneasy and even anxious about attending larger exhibitions like conferences and trade shows when they are allowed to resume, organizers and venues are taking steps now to impart consumer confidence. “We have been preparing for a return of events by building a list of potential measures that sit under the cornerstones of…
COVID-19 has stopped meetings and events in their tracks. But although an unprecedented time for the industry, it will undoubtedly recover. “I am strongly convinced the physical event business will bounce back,” says best-selling author and frequent public speaker, David Meerman Scott, who studies how neuroscience affects behaviour. “Humans crave physical interaction with other humans. We want to be part of a tribe — that’s baked into our neuroscience. Our brains thrive around being around people who are just like…
By Maria da Cunha, CTC, CMP Planning an event consists of various planning aspects throughout the life of the event. In today’s environment, one of the most important stages is security for the event and how the planner ensures that everyone and everything is protected leading up to and during the event. Security has always been part of event planning, but it’s not always top of mind in the initial planning stages of the event. Instead, it is often considered…
On September 1, 2016, National Football League player Colin Kaepernick opted to kneel during the national anthem, creating a countrywide controversy, which has grown into one of America’s most intense national debates. From every corner bar watching Monday night football to the White House, opinions have been voiced, insults traded and threats made. Social media has proven to be the very powerful accelerant for this explosive situation. The NFL is the richest sports organization in history with US$13 billion in…
By Diane Labbé Deegan Let’s say you’re planning a meeting in Canada featuring some international exhibitors. By holding your event in Canada you’re excited about the prospect of easily attracting worldwide attendees. You then think: “But my association is based in the United States. How do I get my registration and exhibitor material across the border?” More importantly, “how will my US sponsors and exhibitors” send their material? The good news is that the Canadian government, in an effort to…
Mitigation, media and muster points: Discussing emergency plans at your pre-conference event Risk management, security procedures and emergency planning are all top-of-mind with today’s meetings industry professionals. Just like events – pre-conference meetings (aka pre-cons) come in all shapes and sizes. I’ve been at pre-cons with three people and with 20 people. I’ve been at pre-cons with a formal agenda and with no agenda. I’ve been at pre-cons with my client present and on my own. While there is no…
