As businesses begin to reopen, it’s time to host events again. While you’ve likely been thinking about recent events and changes, it may be a good time for reviewing your business’s policies and procedures.
The coronavirus pandemic rocked the world in March. While March and April were months spent in quarantine, June marked the return of our workers, friends, and family-and our businesses. If you’re hosting your first corporate event post-COVID, you might be feeling anxious about how to prepare for and entertain your attendees. Fortunately, most businesses have already recovered and gotten their workforces back on their feet. So, if you’re planning your first post-COVID party, you’re in good company. And while you know you must take precautions against coronavirus; you can plan and host your event confidently.
Thoughts on Event Planning in a Post-COVID World
- Make plans far in advance
Events must be canceled or postponed until it is safe to gather. A public event or gathering must be well-planned in order to prepare for whatever may arise. Events like weddings, reunions, and graduations all need to be planned and researched! But, with the coronavirus pandemic in full swing, many are reconsidering their plans. With all of these new restrictions, planning is more important than ever.
- Consider your location
While it’s impossible to guarantee venue safety, you can take measures to protect the health and well-being of your attendees, staff, and vendors. First, consider having security personnel on-site to help with crowd management and provide security if necessary. You can also set up archway metal detectors at entry points to screen attendees for potentially harmful items before they enter the venue, reducing the risk of accidents. Additionally, you can consider the idea of placing signage around the venue to help attendees find their way easily. For the design and printing of these signs, you can reach out to a company that specializes in custom yard signs in Greenwood, SC or the venue’s location. This helps people navigate and enhances safety.
- Plan events for small groups of people
Hosting an event, big or small, during quarantine can be overwhelming. In the midst of a health condition, the last thing you need is the stress of organizing multiple social events, especially if you are hosting an important event such as a business conference. But we’re here today to remind you that the world is not ending and that you can still host an event without risking your or your guests’ health. As long as you sanitize the venue, hire a special occasion catering company for hygienic food, and follow safety rules and social distancing if necessary, you should have a successful event on your hands, regardless of how many people attend.
- Consider virtual events
Virtual events, also known as virtual meetings, are becoming increasingly popular among organizations that want to hold in-person events but are worried about their attendees contracting COVID-19. A virtual event is any event held over telecommunications technology, such as the internet, and includes speakers, presentations, and in-person discussions. Virtual events can be held as webinars, where attendees watch the event online, or they can include live attendee participation with speakers and online attendees.
- Plan events for large groups
There are events that need to take place, even during this pandemic. If your organization plans to hold a community event with large groups, you may need to rethink and revise your plans. When it comes to organizing big corporate events, making sure everyone stays safe is extremely important. Whether it’s a conference, seminar, or a party, keeping attendees and everything secure is a top priority. Good security measures not only protect people but also protects the company’s reputation. This includes picking safe venues, employing reputed security services, having well-trained staff, and using modern technology to keep everything in check. By thinking ahead about possible issues, event planners not only take care of everyone but also make sure the event goes smoothly and leaves a positive impression.
The COVID-19 crisis continues to affect business events, including webinars, conferences, and live events. While many of the Coronavirus restrictions have been lifted, many organizations are still working to keep meetings remote while still allowing employees to network, collaborate, and work remotely.
The road to recovery post-COVID is littered with new services offering help. While some are welcoming, others are outright exploitative. There are companies out there that target businesses with the hope of them purchasing rides for their employees. The bad news is this: while these companies may be offering rides, they are doing so illegally and violating rideshare policies.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced businesses to close and people to stay at home. Governments have imposed limits on the number of people who can gather in groups. These constraints paved the way for online events, as well as the rise of virtual event management services. Hosting big corporate events is definitely a challenge for companies. Companies are putting a lot of their employees back to work, and it’s understandable that employees might get frustrated during this time.
Hosting a corporate event can seem overwhelming, but your event can be a success with the right planning and resources. With some basic advice and a little help from your friends, coworkers, and suppliers, you’ll be setting the tone for a healthy, successful, and fun corporate event.
