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…
Contingency/Disaster Planning, Event Branding & Marketing, Event Operations
The Palais des congrès de Montréal has obtained the GBAC Star certification. It is the first convention centre in Quebec to receive this internationally recognized sanitary certification. The GBAC Star, conferred by the Global Biorisk Advisory Council, is “the cleaning industry’s only outbreak prevention, response and recovery accreditation for facilities” relative to the outbreak of infectious disease. This certification is a testimony to the facility’s relentless commitment to maintaining a safe environment for clients, partners and visitors. A committee that will…
Porter Airlines has returned to the skies after being grounded for almost 18 months due to COVID-19 public health and travel restrictions. “We currently have over 900 team members who have put in countless hours to get everything ready for our return to service, with more being recalled or hired every week,” said Michael Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Airlines. Flights to Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Thunder Bay, Ont., were the first to resume on Sept. 8, followed by…
Air Canada has expanded its Travel Ready hub, an interactive online tool to help those flying with the airline plan and prepare for upcoming trips. “We continue to develop practical solutions to help our customers be travel-ready, wherever they want to go. This includes assisting them in navigating the changing entry requirements set by countries in our global network by making all relevant information available in one convenient place,” says Lucie Guillemette, executive vice-president and chief commercial officer at Air…
Even before COVID-19, event organizers had a laundry list of items to tackle when planning an event. The pandemic has added a whole new host of considerations to ensure the health and safety of all involved. As someone who always strives to learn new things, challenge ideas and provide value to our events team and clients, I decided late last year to pursue Pandemic Meeting and Event Design certification. Developed by the Event Leadership Institute in partnership with Meeting Professionals International, the…
Canadian business travellers overwhelmingly want to return to travel, according to a new report commissioned by Sap Concur. A total of 3,850 business travellers in 25 global markets, including 250 in Canada, were surveyed. Here are the top five Canadian findings. 1. Canadian travellers are ready to get back in the air. Nearly nine in 10 Canadian business travellers are ready to resume travel in the next 12 months. This is driven by travellers’ belief that they will suffer if their…
The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has announced proof of vaccination is required for in-person attendees of CES 2022. “Based on today’s science, we understand vaccines offer us the best hope for stopping the spread of COVID-19,” says CTA president and CEO, Gary Shapiro. “We all play a part in ending the pandemic through encouraging vaccinations and implementing the right safety protocols.” CTA is also assessing the acceptance of proof of a positive antibody test as an alternative requirement but no decision has been made…
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…
Hard-hit by COVID-19, convention centres are once again seeing lines of people eagerly waiting to gain entry. But unlike in ‘normal’ times, they’re not there to attend a ‘typical’ event. Rather, thousands are flocking to these facilities to take a jab in the arm to protect themselves from the potentially deadly virus. The Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) is among several events venues across the country that have pivoted for the public good. Canada’s largest convention and meeting facility opened…
Hyatt Hotels Corp. plans to incorporate a digital health passport into its events programs. “Since the onset of the pandemic, we have believed accessibility to testing and resources would play a critical role in the travel industry’s recovery,” says Hyatt senior vice-president of global operations, Frank Lavey. The hospitality company announced it would use the VeriFLY + Stay app on March 9. The mobile app provides real-time verification of COVID-19 credentials and travel guidelines. It is currently employed by American…
