It is hard to believe it’s been three months since we launched our #WhenWeMeetAgain video, a message of support from Calgary event professionals to our industry colleagues in Canada and across the world. A lot has happened in this time.
During 2020, the events’ community has faced one of its most challenging periods. Face-to-face events like we know them have been cancelled or postponed in many countries, including, Canada, but in the midst of all this uncertainty, we have witnessed incredible unity and collaboration, colleagues shining light and inspiration, helping each other. We have also seen an industry that has advocated finding ways to stay connected, virtually, while we cannot meet in person.
COVID-19 has forced us to take time for reflection, analysis and reinvention. While we think of the day #WhenWeMeetAgain face-to-face, we have relied on innovative ways to engage with each other as we navigate through a new world.
Our community has been adapting and developing new ways to operate in the face of COVID-19 and so have we:
- For over two months, we acted as a Satellite Centre for the Calgary Drop-In Centre: we are honoured to have partnered with the Calgary Drop-In Centre to provide a safe space for Calgary citizens who are experiencing homelessness during the pandemic.
- We have introduced new comprehensive safety measures and adapted our practices. Our Building Safety plan will be shared soon.
- Our team has been busy designing, testing and monitoring protocols that will allow us to meet safely at the Centre again, when the time is right.
- During the last few months, our team has been transforming our space with social distance setups & directional signage to keep our staff, clients, and visitors safe.
- Our Sales and Event Management team have worked hard to rebook events and help client imagine new ways to connect and engage.
- We have also been collaborating with our event partners to find new and improved ways to serve you.
Meeting and events will look different in the immediate future, but what will not change is the need for human connection, to look each other in the eye, rub shoulders, and engage face-to-face. Planning and executing events is what we love to do: bringing people together to create lifetime experiences.
We will meet face-to-face again, we will rebuild our industry and we will continue to create lifetime memories. For now, we invite you to stay connected, stay positive, and keep smiling (through your mask), because we really are better together.