Written on 15^th June 2020 by Tagadmin

New Zealand and the return of business events

“We want people to understand business events are the safest type of event you can hold, because they are highly organised and managed by professionals who work under strict codes of practice” Lisa Hopkins, Conventions and Incentives New Zealand chief executive

For global event agencies like TAG, the return of business events around the world is welcome news and we are following a strategy of watch, learn, refine and implement as each of the territories in which we trade reopens.

There are some key areas for consideration which we’re seeing from New Zealand and will likely be adopted by the rest of the world.

1. Ensure a thorough pre-registration process so you know each and every attendee. The option for turning up on the day will be no longer possible.

2. Guidance on social distancing for your destination will need to be clearly communicated to all delegates to ensure compliance

3. Clear hygiene practices and standards will be defined and again, need to be communicated to delegates, including the use of face masks, controlling numbers, , catering and people movement

4. Complying with government regulations like track and trace or temperature checking needs to be built into the event management

Understanding the local variations on how these and many other considerations are interpreted and actioned will help the New Zealand model be adapted around the world. As we’ve said before, every event is unique and understanding requirements is an essential factor in success.

Another interesting development we have seen is cross border collaboration. This must be the way forward and the news that Conventions & Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) and Business Events Council of Australia (BECA) have announced a landmark agreement to cooperate and solve issues affecting the MICE industry on both sides of the Tasman—including pushing for a travel bubble is further positive news. Europe and USA must now watch, learn, refine and implement…. and be grateful for those who are creating the model for the rest of the world to follow.