Post Pandemic Event Planning

Avery Products Canada spoke to meeting and events industry expert Angela Koshman about the changing climate of event planning in a post pandemic Canada.

Over the last two years, the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on the meetings and events industry in Canada. However, as restrictions have begun to ease or vanish entirely in 2022, we are seeing the steady return of conferences, conventions, tradeshows, and other largescale face-to-face meetings.

While things are certainly heading in the right direction, the return of largescale face-to-face events does not yet mean a return to business as usual. Post pandemic event planning comes with new challenges and plenty of questions. That’s why, Avery Products Canada spoke to Angela Koshman, Canadian Sales Manager for pc/nametag®, a trusted name in the Canadian meeting and events industry.

The State of the Face-to-Face Event Planning Industry

“Conferences, face to face meeting and tradeshows are back in Canada, and the event Industry could not be more excited,” Koshman says. “Based on what I am seeing, the numbers are strong and continue to grow as the restrictions lift.”

Koshman goes on to explain that while the return to face-to-face meetings in Canada has been a bit more gradual than in the US (where parts of the country did not face the same shut downs and restrictions), event planners have actually been surprised by just how strong Canada’s attendance numbers have been. Given that much of the country has only just reopened this past March, that is certainly a positive sign!

Plan for the Unplanned!

With attendance numbers for Canadian conventions, conferences, and other face-to-face meetings rising steadily, the demand for meeting supplies has also increased. For planners, this means acquiring supplies as soon as possible, to ensure they have the items they need in a timely fashion.

“People are anxious to reconnect,” Koshman says. “More people may come [to the event] than you think. So, be prepared!”

In post pandemic Canada, one of the new wrinkles in face-to-face meetings can be the increased likelihood of cancellations and attendee swaps, as individual comfort levels tend to be more uncertain.

To meet this uncertainty, Koshman recommends having extra name badge inserts or labels on-site throughout the event, to make name badge changes on the fly. She mentions that most conference facilities will only have black and white printers available for use, and that colour may provide a more welcoming experience.

Post Pandemic Event Planning Essentials

Planning a post pandemic event may come with a different looking toolbox, when it comes to stocking your must have items. Not only is this true when speaking about professional events, such as conferences, conventions, offsite meetings, and tradeshows, but personal events like weddings, showers, milestone birthdays, family reunions, and more may also require a few extras to ensure that all those in attendance will feel safe and comfortable.
“For now, things like sanitizing stations and social distancing queues will be around for the short term,” Koshman explains. “But it is hard to say whether they will become common practice years from now."

Here are some items to consider when planning your event

Social Colour Coding

According to Koshman, some of the most popular items are those that convey non-verbal social distancing cues. For instance, colour coding dots, or different coloured UltraTabs can be used in conjunction with name badges to non-verbally tell others if an attendee is ok with handshakes or hugs, if they are uncertain, or if they prefer people maintain 6 feet of distance.

Directional Signage

Directional signage remains an important means of non-verbal communication. Use floor decals and removable vinyl signs to direct the flow of traffic and to inform attendees about important stations, booths, and amenities. Removable vinyl labels can also be applied to seating and tables, if you choose to maintain spacing, or close and open certain seating areas.

Health and Safety Signage

Handwashing stations and signs that speak to masking expectations, healthy habits, distancing and more, are likely to be a common site at largescale events for quite some time. However, Koshman cautions that event planners need to be clear and concise about expectations regarding health protocols in advance of receiving attendees to their face-to-face meeting.

Explore the products available here on avery.ca for meetings and events, including labels, signs, DIY name badges, and more!

About pc/nametag
pc/nametag® is a trusted name in the meetings and events industry. They provide innovative and exclusive name badges and registration supplies as well as Custom Services designed to make the planner’s job easier, while helping to make events a success.