“Pivot to Virtual” – this has been the catch phrase encapsulating the lives of meeting and event organizers since March 2020. For our not-for-profits clients who focus on conferences as their primary member education and engagement tool, the move to virtual has been an outright necessity.
Virtual Meetings in Many Forms
As COVID-19 continues to disrupt the meeting and association world, Sea to Sky has been proactively working with each of our clients to manage the changes necessary to ensure a successful transition for their conferences, events and meetings, and the day-to-day management of their associations.
Our team has come together to support our clients, even though we are now working apart, virtually, from our homes.
A Case against Conference Swag
Let’s face it – we all enjoy that moment when we first glance inside our delegate bag to see what goodies are in store for us this year. Oh yah it’s another pen! …yet another fidget spinner for my collection … a few pamphlets that will quickly get tossed in recycling … and in the bottom corner a sweet treat that goes down quick. Now to keep or not to keep my cloth grocery store style bag. I already have several dozen at home so I will likely leave it behind in my hotel room. The moment is fleeting and what is left behind is a whole lot of wasted money and wasted resources.
Reducing plastic waste in the meeting industry
I remember about twelve or so years ago there was a big push towards ‘Green Meetings’ so I quickly got certified as a ‘Green Meeting’ specialist. During the course, we learned about various ways to make our meetings more environmentally responsible and I remember thinking – Just imagine where we will be 10 years from now.
The Conference is over…now what?
After the last session, when everyone is on their way home, is the only item left on your to-do list the final report?
It isn’t that long ago when only the Board wanted an update on how well the conference’s objectives were met, but today, your meeting participants and association members are expecting more.