b'new normalthese events again, she gushes. Its a brand-new energyyour typical company event at a banquet hall or restaurant. thats inspiring and heartwarmingthe hugging, theWe have had the opportunity to open up a wide range of excitement of people wanting to get together in person. opportunities that didnt exist pre-COVID.On the financial side, the situation seems to be justAs for current trends, Eisenberg says the industry is as positive. Budgets are larger because people haventstill shifting. A month ago, the split [between virtual and been throwing events. Theres going to be a huge surgein-person] was 80/20. We are now approaching 50/50, she in demand, Eisenberg says. Weve been seeing doubleexplains. People are feeling good about whats happening budgets, and they want to do it up in a big way. There is awith vaccine mandates, but you need to speak in snapshots massive influx of Welcome Back events. of time, because in two weeks, everything couldWhile the willingness barometer seems to be high forchange again.event attendance, there are still concerns to be addressedAnd how do event planners see this changing over by customers. The people willing to have live eventsthe next year? Assuming things keep going in a very are able to assume a higher level of risk, Eisenbergpositive trajectory as we all hope, I see most people explains. We are able to assure eventgoers that maskinghaving a full return to live events, with the exception of protocols can be followed. Most people already considerthose companies who are now all remote workers, states vaccinations mandatory for these types of events, and weEisenberg. Theres a virtual event revolution that people also offer rapid testing at the door, which has been anotherare now used to. They enjoy it, and it can be really fun, cost common request; turnaround times on accurate results areeffective and easy to pull off. Post-COVID there will never within six to 15 minutes.be a full exit from doing virtual events.If you have a mix of people who arent all on the sameIf companies are in a situation where they are only left level of comfort, were using a colour-coded wristbandwith a virtual option, a major challenge can be keeping solution, she adds. Green says come up and hug me,attendees engaged and making the event special. while yellow means come up closer for a chat, but noKeeping numbers low is really important. You cant physical contact and red signals please keep the minimumreally do a virtual event with a thousand people and be six-foot distance. With masks, its hard to sense someonesinteractive. Events between 30-150 attendees are the most interest in talking with you or having interactions, so this solution has worked really well for us. engaging, she explains. There are many ways to engage, So what factors should companies be consideringbut you want to get heart rates up and have them use their when deciding on a return to live events? Accordinghands and bodies in some way. We prefer to have virtual to Eisenberg, there are several: Is everyone alreadyevents where kits are pre-shipped for things like cooking, working remotely and comfortable? Have they gonecrafting, wine tastingshaving the user get up from their remote permanently and moved hours away or evenscreens and do something with their hands is theinternationally? In that case, you may never return to most important. live eventstheyll be virtual. It depends on the Eisenburg offers one final trending idea for those company culture. whose in-person event days are over. Virtual scavenger How much risk are you willing to tolerate, and whatshunts where people have to run and find an object as fast the cost-benefit analysis of having the event? sheas possible in their homes causes a flurry of activity and continues. Some customers are opting for something inenergy, she shares. Theyre especially fun for those with the middle, like family drive-through events where you staychildren and partners at home. There are many ways to in your car. Were also doing a lot of drive-in events whereengage, but if youre going to stay virtual with your events, people arrive in cars and watch shows as we bring outyou really want to focus on what gets hearts beating, treats to them. These are unique experiences that arentpeople talking and, most importantly, using their hands.Con-cation (noun):WORD ORIGIN a conference + a vacation1.when you attend an event & stay for a fun adventure2.what happens when you book your event at the VICC1.866.430.6338 viconference.comSpring/Summer 2022CORPORATE MEETINGS & EVENTS 9'