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
With so many different celebrations happening this month, it’s inevitable that we may have to move some events around. While we cannot guarantee that our venues will be safe, you can take steps to protect the health and safety of your attendees, staff, and vendors.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
