Lessons from lockdown - the resilience of event organisers

Photo by Headway on Unsplash.

One of the large financial services companies recently asked my company to look into how the events industry was adapting to Covid-19, which triggered me to take a closer look. Here are my observations.

#1: Speed of response

Despite the enormity of the challenge, the focus was immediately on what could be done for clients rather than what could no longer be done. I have received a significant increase in the number of enquiries and requests for samples immediately after the lockdown was announced.

#2: Client relationships

New strategies were created and implemented within very short time frames, which can only be achieved when there is a high level of trust and understanding between both parties. The modus operandi was one of partnership and jointly looking for solutions.

#3 Creativity

The temptation could have been to focus on a one size fits all approach - online events. However, events companies have created a variety of solutions, from personalised video messages, webinars, video brochures, and re-edited video material from previous events. Having participated in webinars hosted by some of the largest international brands, our homegrown solutions are highly professional and deliver real value to clients.

#4 Supplier relations

Events companies have always excelled at developing strong and diverse supplier relationships. This has proved to be essential when crafting new and creative solutions.

#5 Purpose

Probably the most significant observation is that events companies know their purpose. They are not in the business is creating and staging events, they are actually in the business of connecting their client's stories with their audience. Knowing what business they were in, allowed them to quickly adapt to the new environment and offer relevant solutions.