Juliet Price, consultant executive director HBAA
The
HBAA has started a new campaign aimed at organisers to highlight government advice
that up to 30 people can attend face-to-face meetings in England and that these
events can be both Covid-safe and productive.
The
Meet Safe, Meet Smart 30 campaign (MSMS30) was launched after the
organisation carried out research that showed there was confusion among
planners over the number of delegates that could get together in England for events –
currently 30. One HBAA member said that 70 per cent of all meetings are
this size or smaller.
MSMS30 is also designed to give organisers confidence that any
events they hold will take place in a Covid-secure way and that there will be
flexibility in venue terms and conditions if the event has to be cancelled.
Two
thirds of a small sample of organisers surveyed by the HBAA said they would only
run online meetings and events in the foreseeable future.
Guy Mason, managing director of HBAA member Brief2Event, said:
“The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has decimated the business meetings and events
industry in an unimaginable way. The confusion in the marketplace regarding
permitted numbers is stopping planners from having the confidence to even
contemplate any sort of meeting or event.”
He continues: “Venues,
organisers, delegates and councils all need to know permitted delegate numbers
as soon as guidance is announced or changes. Daily we are arguing with venues
that are given false information from local councils regarding numbers of
delegates. With more than 70 per cent of all meetings being for 30 delegates or
less, clarity is essential.”
Lynn Fraser, sales director of Village Hotels, said: "As
you'd expect, we've had to adapt and we've undergone some big changes over
the last few months. We've reviewed every step of
the customer journey, from a booker and a delegate's perspective and we've
adopted a host of new measures from enhanced cleaning regimes, new room
layouts, virtual showrounds and new food packages.”
Adrian Mickleburgh, regional service delivery manager of Ancala Water Services, said: ‘’We are a
company that supplies MOD and associated sites with the main utility to allow
it to function. Our business function depends
on being able to run meetings and training. Covid-safe measures in hotels
ensure we are comfortable that these environments are safe and workable.’’
Juliet
Price, HBAA’s consultant executive director, said: “There are many reasons why
meeting in person is absolutely essential, from productivity to creativity, to
positive mental health. However, we completely appreciate and acknowledge that
that we must follow the government guidelines which are subject to rapid
change, aligned to infection rates.’’
She added: “Our industry must continue to unite to build customer confidence
in resuming booking and attending small live business meetings, as these will
pave the way for the eventual return of safe and secure larger live events in
the future.”