After the pandemic, you’re probably wondering: How can we safely attend events, trade shows and conferences in 2021? To find out what precautions are being taken, I looked at industry trends and the latest reports from medical experts.
First, the good news — many in-person events are planned for 2021. Many event planners have come up with great ideas to stage smaller in-person events, outdoor events and hybrid live/virtual events. On the other hand, these events probably won’t resemble anything pre-pandemic for a while based on the recent predictions of Dr. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical advisor to the president.
So here are eight ways I believe events and conferences will be different for attendees and speakers in 2021 — and what that means for organizers and communications leaders.
1. Event Safety Guidelines
Expect more safety guidelines for events. You’ll typically see these safety guidelines posted online before registering, or the organizers may send them to you before the event takes place. These safety guidelines will outline all the procedures and precautions in place that you will need to follow at the event.
2. Covid-19 Compliance Officers
Expect event planners and facilities to have a Covid-19 compliance officer in charge of overseeing safety guidelines before, during and after the event. Also expect additional employees to enforce compliance with social distancing, face-covering and sanitation requirements during the event.
3. Limited Attendance
Expect limited attendance at in-person events in 2021. In order to create a safer environment for everyone, fewer people may be permitted to attend, with wider spaces between attendees (either fewer chairs or chairs taped off).
4. Touchless Payments
Bring your mobile phone with you so you can access touchless payments. Many event planners I’ve spoken to are using touchless payments for in-person events to eliminate the spread of Covid-19. Touchless payments work both with Apple and Android phones.
5. Increased Sanitation Of Facilities And Hotels
Expect a lot of cleaning and hand sanitizer at event hotels and facilities. For in-person events, expect cleaning to take place before and after sessions and seminars.
6. Face Coverings
You’ll probably still need your favorite face covering when attending most in-person events or hybrid events. Conferences and trade shows will likely expect you to wear a face covering when attending seminars, walking between events or shopping.
7. Social Distancing
Forget the hugs and handshakes in favor of elbow bumps and head nods. Most events will probably require you to keep your distance at in-person and hybrid events. Chairs could be placed farther apart in seminars (or taped off), and there could be space between people in line at registration. You may still be able to get photo ops, but expect to stand at least six feet away and wear your mask.
8. Covid-19 Testing Or Vaccine Passports
It’s possible that you’ll see in-person events expecting attendees to have a negative Covid-19 test or get vaccinated before attending. This may also be expected for travel to and from events by airlines or governments in some areas (like the U.S. for travelers from outside of the country).
Making Your Own Events Successful By Communicating Safety And Offering Alternatives
If you’re wondering how to help make your own events safer, here are two things you can do to help your audience.
First: one of the most important ways to inspire confidence in the event’s safety is to communicate positively and often with your attendees and potential attendees. Emphasize how the procedures benefit everyone, and provide examples of what has worked at other large events. Point out how the event staff and the event promoters have everyone’s safety in mind.
Second: offer hybrid in-person and virtual events. For those attendees who are not yet comfortable coming in person, they can have the option of attending virtually, while those who feel inclined to come in person will also have that choice. Hybrid events have the added bonus of making the events accessible worldwide.
The good news is that in-person events could be back with safety precautions in place — but don’t expect them to be like 2019 any time soon. Until most people in the U.S. (and maybe the world) are vaccinated, events are likely to be smaller and cleaner, with virtual options, social distancing and mask-wearing.