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Tips for meeting planners while in crisis mode

Magdalena Bonnelly • May 18, 2021

Let me ask you a question, what would you do if you had to start all over?


Well, with year 2020 behind us doesn't it feel like we all are starting over, especially in events and meetings industry?


Last year everything came to a screeching halt for me, just like it probably did for you. COVID pandemic was here and we all needed to either pivot or gain new knowledge to stay relevant.. to keep up with ever changing landscape.


Can you imagine this scenario? My business was only 6 months old at that time.. talk about timing to start something new!


You see, I knew that this was the time to set myself and my business up for success.


"Never let a good crisis go to waste" said Winston Churchill, and I took that quote to heart. So I went to work - I interviewed event and meeting industry professionals, attended every event software platform demo I could and educated myself on what possible future of meetings and events may look like. I don't have a crystal ball, so I will not be making speculations.


I have done my research and from what I see there are some major issues that give meeting and event planners headaches.


One of those issues is massive uncertainty around safety protocols in different venues, in different parts of the country and globe, for in-person meetings.


I HEAR YOUR STRUGGLE, fellow meeting planners.


Lack consistency in health and safety protocols is causing frustration and anxiety in many. As a meeting planner, where people rely on you to mitigate risks before, during and after the meeting, you need to have a well-being of every attendee top of mind. Those waters ARE tricky to navigate these days!


From what I wrote at the beginning of my post, my company was only 6 months old when COVID hit and event industry collapsed. I could have said - "That's it - I am done!". Instead, here is what I did for myself:


1. I asked for help - I didn't even try to pretend I can do it all. It literally takes a village TO LIVE LIFE.. not to mention raise children, have pets, have a company.


2. I checked my attitude every day, one day at a time. I knew I had a choice - to give up or to persevere. Between pivoting, I learned and educated myself on virtual platforms and stayed connected!


3. I took A LOT of walks. My flip flops had a white outline on my feet from walking 3-4 times a day in the summer, for 30-40 minutes at a time.


"Never let a good crisis go to waste"..


DURING CRISIS - that is where innovation and creativity often happens.


How can you get creative to solve your meeting planning headaches? How can you innovate your process?

If you don't know where to start, CONTACT US today!


Cheering You On,


Magdalena


(updated June 19, 2023)

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