The Future of Events Post COVID

We don’t realize how much of a difference we have made on this planet until a global pandemic hits and just then, do we start to see a global reduction in pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Being in this lock-down has caused good things to the environment and a realization for some to change the way of producing events in order to protect the planet. In Selina Donald’s article, we learn the impact this global pandemic has on the environment and how the future of producing events will change through social sustainability, travel, materials and production.  

In addition to Selina's article, I believe this has been an eye opener for everyone, especially the event industry, to realize how much we have affected the environment through out ongoing events that take place year after year. We need to start making an effort to having sustainable events for the future while staying up to date with the trends post COVID.

With choosing to continue these efforts to protect the environment while still having events, hybrid and virtual events will be a good solution. Hosting hybrid and virtual events has been around for years but it's recently skyrocketed due to the pandemic with platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype and many more. Hybrid and virtual events has also changed due to this demand by finding more ways to have audience engagement. Some of these additional features that can be incorporated in a hybrid and virtual event include:

• 1:1 meetings  
• Breakout sessions
• Video calls
• Live Q&A polls
• Chats

Many companies have been working from home and using these media platforms already and it has saved them a lot of money from renting out office spaces. So what's stopping them to continue keeping their employees who don't require to come to the office to permanently work from home? Other than the social aspect of it. Hybrid and virtual events will continue to be the future of events and it is important that we continue to do stay up to date with its features and latest innovations as future event planners.

Now of course there will still be live events that will take place once this whole global pandemic is over. But will it be the same as before? My guess is that it will - slowly but surely. Everything won't happen all at once and it may take years to go back to a mask-less world. We would still have to limit the amount of attendees in an event and have safety measures in place. For now, virtual and hybrid events will last a while and will continue to evolve through new technology innovations.With that being said, we can't just freely go back to our old ways and harm the environment like we once did before. This is a new way for the event industry to grow and learn from this experience.

We should in fact follow the footsteps of some sustainable organizations who already make an effort to keep their event ‘green’. 

Coachella Music and Art Festival that takes place in the Colorado Desert is a good example of a sustainable event with their efforts to go green. Some of the initiatives they take include:

• Having water filling stations to reduce single-use plastic waste
• Vendors using compostable service ware
• Encouraging carpooling to reduce travel emissions
• Offering plant based alternatives
• Offering a camping on site option to reduce air pollution travel to the two day event
• Donating leftover food to a local food center 

Another trend that will continue to stick around for a while is hosting a 'micro' event, especially in the wedding industry. This 'micro' event is a small setting usually no more than 50 guests in the event that contains a set up either in your backyard or a venue for a lower price, depending on the package. There are still some people who are getting married this year despite of everything in 2020 and still want to continue to celebrate their special day.

 

2020 has been a year to remember for all of us with the good and bad things it has brought. The concept of hybrid, virtual, sustainable and micro events are currently trending right now and I foresee it sticking around for the next year or more. Let's focus on the positive things to come ahead and continue to seek new innovations for a better future!

Sources 

Donald, S. (2020, April 28). What will events and experiential look like after lockdown? Retrieved October 30, 2020, from https://www.thedrum.com/opinion/2020/04/28/what-will-events-and-experiential-look-after-lockdown

Parry, A. (2020, October 28). Eventboost @ Event Tech Live 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020, from https://www.eventindustrynews.com/news/eventboost-event-tech-live-2020

Mackey, J. (2020, April 15). What Is a Micro Wedding and Should You Have One? Retrieved October 30, 2020, from https://www.brides.com/story/how-to-throw-a-microwedding

C. (2020). Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Retrieved October 30, 2020, from https://coachella.com/sustainability