Emerging Trends in Planning Post-Covid Meetings & Events

As we sit socially isolated from one another in the throes of the coronavirus, it is hard to believe that our world can ever go back to normal. Today, social isolation seems to be the new normal. But as grave as the situation appears at the moment, it too will pass; and we shall return to wanting to meet in person again. However, while the dynamics of the event and meeting industry may have already changed somewhat, the key success factors will remain intact.  Here are five developments that will influence the meetings once we are out of our lockdowns:

Engaging technology

There will be increasing interest in taking part in meetings that involve engaging technologies. Cookie-cutter meeting formats of the past will be giving way to those that involve interactive sessions and processes. An individual approach will be increasingly more popular.  Participants will have pent-up craving for opportunities for personalized learning instead of unimaginative formats. With the penetration of the vast variety of digital devices and applications—some of which were developed in response to the current social isolation environment—it will be easier for meeting organizers to customize the event to keep engaged a wide range of participants with varied interests.

Health & wellness

Covid-19 has resulted in heightened awareness and interest in personal wellbeing which will create an opportunity for meeting organizers to allow participants to get nutrition and fitness tips that improve their health and wellbeing through inclusion in the general agenda or through breakout sessions. This will also increasingly hold true for the meals and snacks that are typically served at meetings or large gatherings. 

Breakout sessions

Breakout sessions provide unique opportunities for further customization of a meeting’s general theme.  A breakout session—also known as a breakout meeting or a workshop session—is generally a workshop, discussion, or presentation on a specific topic. These smaller groups can be very effective for slicing into manageable portions the agenda of a larger program, seminar, conference, or convention.

Adaptive experience

Sensitivity to the varied interests of the meeting participants will result in positive feedback on social media—a prized outcome for any meeting planner. Furthermore, dividing a [larger] meeting’s general registration into categories will allow planners to analyze the interest in different segments of the event and help in the allocation of the budget in a more profitable manner to boost the meeting’s ROI.

Theming

Theming can enhance more that the appearance of a meeting setting. Event themes can be divided into categories, and a program’s thematic concept should be chosen to enhance the overall event impression. Applying varying plot types, story types, themes, and genres will help the planners engage the audience in numerous subliminal ways.

To organize your post-Covid impactful meeting and event, call on professionals at GMS Meetings.