SAACI NEWS

A glass half-full

All indications are that we will have a slow start to 2021, with many business event planners and event specialists certain that digital/hybrid conferences will continue for the first half of this year.

By Glenton de Kock, chief executive officer of SAACI

It will not deter those planners that have experienced the organising of in-person events at the end of 2020. Momentum on pursuing the in-person events, hybrid events and business meetings early in 2021 will certainly continue as we all are better informed than we were a year ago on this Covid-19 pandemic.

As we witnessed the roll-out of the vaccine around the world at the end of 2020, we all await the roll-out of the Coronavirus vaccine in South Africa. It is assured that physical audiences may cautiously increase over time. A vaccine roll-out may lower the risks and anxieties that many attendees may feel when considering attending in-person events and meetings during 2021.

We are all eager to return to in-person meetings and events. As David Audrain, executive director, Society of Independent Show Organizers; chief executive officer and partner, Exposition Development Co. recently commented: “The value of being able to see it, touch it, taste it or work on it, on a trade show floor is far superior to anything done online.”

The main draw of conferences is not always the speakers. Networking and casual interactions are also valuable to participants.

With the work done around the health and safety protocol guidelines, physical conferences will very likely look very different. This we have seen and organisers will be need to be creative as well as show clarity on the needs of the attendees. Content will be king and engagement for online attendees who may still be hesitant to attend in-person, will be key considerations when delivering business events and meetings in 2021.

Striking the balance early in 2021 by embracing the value and impact that technology has had on our industry will provide our industry’s offering with an improved client experience.

Our sector is a work in progress and the Covid-19 pandemic will be viewed as our Rubicon moment, both in a good way and in a way that has changed the way we view the glass: half empty or half full.