As in-person and hybrid meetings continue to become the norm again, there are a few things to consider in order to make attendees feel welcomed and safe. We are all adjusting to life outside the screen and might need a little extra love and caution as we make that transition back. Below are a few ways you can provide that to attendees.
Goodies. As you prepare swag bags for your attendees, keep their needs in mind. Hand sanitizer will now forever be more appreciated than it once was. Other things that might make attendees feel more comfortable include a personal water bottle, a mask for those that might still want to mask up, or a band or sticker that indicates how comfortable the person is being close to others.
Exhibit Halls. Attendees have always been accustomed to the tradition of shaking hands and socializing their way through an exhibit hall. This may look a little different now that we have experienced the year we did. It is important to consider moderations like spreading booths out further from each other to create wider aisles, using dividers, and having virtual options. These modifications may not be needed for long but are also things to consider as you look into the future. Would it hurt if everyone had a little more space to move around, pandemic or not?
Communication. Keep attendees informed of changes. If things are going to be different from previous years, let attendees know. Over-communicate and set the expectation of what they will experience at your event.
Food. Buffets are traditionally an easy, affordable, and popular way of serving a large number of people. This does not have to completely go away, but to keep things extra sanitary, it is best to utilize the caterers to serve the food rather than having attendees each touch the utensils and breathe over what is being served.
Although the world is getting back on its feet, there are some things that the association industry has learned from the pandemic that might be here to stay. The ideas of over-communicating and over-sanitizing are not bad concepts to carry with us as we trudge towards the future of events.
Get in touch with Impact for your event planning needs.