With provinces in various stages of re-opening, in-person events have resumed in some parts of the country. Now is the time to turn everyday people into purchasers and reward loyal customers. One of the most effective ways to accomplish this is by implementing a brand ambassador marketing strategy. But how do you find brand ambassadors and promotional staff? To start, connect with a staffing agency. At their very core, a staffing agency is a company that provides its clients with…
In a matter of days, the Alberta government will lift all remaining COVID-19 public health restrictions that have been in place for most of the pandemic. As of Aug. 16, masks will be completely optional except in certain settings like acute care or continuing care facilities, and people who test positive for COVID-19 will not be required to quarantine anymore. Isolation hotels and quarantine support will also no longer be available and by month’s end, COVID-19 tests will only be…
Creating an event budget can be challenging. After all, there is a lot to consider. In addition to necessary costs like the venue and event staff, you want to allow for unexpected expenses, hidden fees that will undoubtedly crop up and an emergency fund. Here are eight tips to help you prepare for the unknowns and set your event up for success. 1. Identify Goals and Primary KPIs Budgeting for your event usually occurs after the main objectives have been…
As hybrid models gather momentum, many event planners are becoming increasingly concerned about one issue that has no clear answer: pricing. Here are five key questions to help you determine how to price your next hybrid event. 1. What is the hybrid event makeup? When producing a hybrid event that combines in-person and virtual attendees, you can choose where to place the emphasis on pricing. This will be determined in part by your communications strategy and what level of profit,…
As pandemic restrictions continue to lift, many trade shows are committed to returning to in-person operations. This is exciting not just for attendees but also exhibitors. There is a lot to coordinate before you hit the show floor for your next big event. Given it has been quite some time since large face-to-face gatherings have been allowed, this guide provides a refresher to make the experience seamless and minimize stress. It’s also a great tool for first-time exhibitors. Pre-Show In…
Can you feel it? Events are more appreciated than ever. The global pandemic is finally being beaten back in Canada. We are so ready to get to our better, bigger life. Thanks in large part to Canadians valuing health procedures and the vast majority getting vaccinated, most areas of our lives are going forward with a new normal. As lock-down restrictions open up, event planning is returning from virtual rectangles to live, in-person events and a mix of both. As…
The process of planning a small gathering or a large multi-day conference is the same but the volume of detail increases. Planning an event means strategically thinking about every little detail. Here are the top 5 steps to planning an event. Step 1: Determine with your client the expected results of the event. In this first step, you had the broad scope of the work conversation with your client. You’re probably researching to identify and bring ideas to the table,…
Recently, Black in Events Network hosted an online event with Kimberly Corbin, co-founder and managing partner for Meeting Shields, LLC, the largest 100 per cent woman and minority owned full-service protection and emergency management preparedness firm globally. Corbin also has 14 years of senior level experience in the hospitality and meetings industry. As we move into live, in-person events again, wherever you are in the world, what matters most is making sure you follow protocol and listen to whatever the…
As the events and meeting industry gradually moves back into in-person meetings (and the when really depends on the province and state and how fast people get vaccinated), event safety measures will become part of normal conversation and habit—as it should be. Even though vaccination rates are climbing, there are still variants to deal with, so event safety measures and protocols need to be kept in place and finessed as we move along into the new normal. Below are a…
Hand sanitizer, check! Wipes, check! Face masks, check! Seating arrangements according to provincial guidelines, check! Individual tracking data, check! Adhering to physical distancing guidelines may appear to be a bit overwhelming. When in-person meetings and events resume, the first events are likely to be quite small and will probably serve as a benchmark for larger gatherings. Lessons learned from each event will be crucial to event planners who want to be successful in the future and generate positive feedback on…
