With the increase of vaccinations and decrease of South Africa’s lockdown levels, event organisers are looking forward to planning in-person events for the first time since 2020.
However, physical events won’t look the same way they did before the pandemic: there are more safety protocols to put in place, more anxious guests to reassure, and more unreliable venues to deal with.
Physical events during a pandemic
As any event professional knows, the first step to planning your event is research. We put together a lay of the current eventing land to help you get back into the swing of things.
In-person events are smaller and more expensive
While many people are excited to go out and be amongst other people at an event, others are still cautious and wary of crowds. This, coupled with capacity restrictions placed on venues, means that physical events look a lot smaller than they used to.
Another factor to consider is the cost of safety protocols. In addition to your standard cleaning costs – hand sanitisers, thermometers, temperature check-ins and social distancing markers will need to be included. Health and safety should be your number one priority, but know that the costs will add up.
Outdoor events and spaces are increasingly popular
Outdoor spaces at venues have always been valuable. However, after a year and a half of intermittent lockdowns, guests are keener now to enjoy the great outdoors. Hosting an outdoor event gives attendees all the usual benefits of in-person interaction, while maintaining a safe distance from each other.
Weather concerns and technical logistics often limit the opportunity for an exclusively outdoor event, however, incorporating some outside space is a great way to reassure guests while also breaking up the day’s activities.
Online options are still expected
We’ve seen an increase in popularity for hybrid events over the last year or so, and we don’t suspect this trend is going away any time soon. Contactless and remote options for just about everything have become the new norm, and therefore expected. Having the option for some guests to join remotely not only puts their needs first, but allows you to reach a wider audience.
When it comes to hybrid events, the most important thing you’ll need to consider is connectivity – your venue will need a secure and fast internet connection. You’ll also need access to high-quality sound and audiovisual equipment to accommodate the likes of live streaming or video conferencing.
This may all seem overwhelming, but as cartoon character G.I Joe once famously said, “Now you know. And knowing is half the battle.”
Flock Eventing Platform is the all-in-one tool for event planners, and can help you organise the perfect hybrid event. Click here to book a demo and see how Flock can help make your next event a success.