Along with new sanitisation standards, several hotel
companies are implementing new procedures and protocols around their meetings
and events – for whenever they return – related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In addition to the company's All Stay Well initiative, Accor
has launched All Meet Well for North and Central America. Elements include
promoted social distancing in arrival and gathering areas; attendee screenings
that may include temperature checks; food-and-beverage set-ups that allow for
six feet between chairs; gloves and masks for all staff; sanitisation of all
furniture and equipment in meeting rooms before and after every event;
increased availability of outdoor and private spaces; adding more disposable
F&B accompaniments; elimination of all pre-set items on tables except for
single-serve bottled water; elimination of all buffets and self-serve options;
and larger, one-way aisles with directional signage.
As an enhancement to its Commitment to Clean initiative,
Choice Hotels is redesigning furniture arrangements in its meeting and event
spaces for social distancing in accordance with US Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention guidelines. It is also adding signage and decals to meeting
locations to reiterate the need for social distancing. The company's Cambria
brand offers a contactless concierge text-messaging service, which guests and
planners can use to request changes, for example, to thermostat settings,
information technology or audiovisual support and food-and-beverage orders.
Hilton Worldwide has said it is working on a complement to
its CleanStay programme dubbed Hilton EventReady with CleanStay but hasn't yet
released details.
Hyatt Hotels's meeting and event programming is being built
off its Global Care & Cleanliness Commitment, said Hyatt SVP of events
Steve Enselein in an email. A few examples of the enhancements include sharing
virtual hotel tours; collaborating with its AV providers to elevate hybrid
meeting options to support large-scale events within social distancing
guidelines; using Cvent's Social Tables tool to collaborate with planners to
arrange room layouts for social distancing; temporarily shifting from buffets
to a la carte menus and made-to-order options at full-service restaurants;
providing individually pre-packaged items at select-service properties with
breakfast buffets; placing hand sanitiser stations at the entrance of event
venues; making masks and gloves available to attendees; and temporarily
suspending distribution of pads, pens and other items that cannot be easily
sanitised.
Loews Hotels' enhanced safety and cleanliness protocols,
released in May, covered meetings and events. The current protocols are based
on gatherings of 50 or fewer attendees, and include classroom-style room
settings with two people per six-foot table, including adequate space in front
and behind each row; buffets replaced with individually wrapped containers and
utensils; coffee, tea and accompaniments served by staff; beverages served
where possible in single-serve vessels; lines for bars and meals marked to
adhere to physical distancing; and meals served in the same room as the
meeting.
Marriott International's cleanliness commitment covers all
areas of the hotel, including meetings and events, said Marriott SVP global
sales Tammy Routh in an email. The company is also working with "industry
organisations such as the Events Industry Council to find ways to instil trust
and confidence in bringing back meetings and events". In addition,
Marriott is working with groups to incorporate new technology such as
live-streaming support, and to offer touchless options via Marriott's meeting
services app. Like other companies, Marriott will replace self-service buffets
with grab-and-go items, and meeting set-ups will adhere to social distancing
protocols. New room set-up charts will support social distancing as well.
Future recommendations, based on new mandates and guidelines, include working
with planners to determine room set-ups while ensuring physical distancing and,
if buffets return, ensuring they will be attended and served by staff.
Radisson Hotel Group has introduced a 20-step protocol for
cleaning and a ten-step one for meeting and event spaces. Some elements that
differ from the overall sanitisation initiative include door hangers in each
meeting room with cleaning and disinfecting information; the placement of a
"disinfectant box" in meeting rooms for used stationery items to be
disinfected after use; ensuring physical distancing in all meeting facilities;
sanitising stations in all meeting spaces; ensuring that the hotel event
manager is available via a planner's personal device to assist with requests;
and frequently cleaning and disinfecting coffee machines.