I am one of the optimists; I believe that Canadians will see the safe return of association events in the fall of 2021. However, I realize that not everyone is in the same place. As associations consider when to bring members together, they must consider that members must be [...]
We all want to get back to in-person events as soon as possible. The success of your association’s trade show or conference depends on how you market to potential delegates. Working in a primarily Canadian market, you need to keep in mind that, generally, Canadians are very safety orientated. [...]
As we transition back to a version of normalcy thanks to the vaccines, your association will be looking to reopen in person events. After a full year or more of virtual events, your membership will be wanting more from the in-person events. You may find great benefits in the [...]
While continuously adapting, we are proud to have made it through the hardships of countless event cancellations and closures over the past months. We have been able to adapt and focus, and now we may see another opportunity to pivot, beyond virtual events. In the months ahead, health authorities [...]
In August, I attended my first virtual conference. This two-day conference had keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and a trade show floor. The conference covered what is currently happening in the event industry and the future of events with tips on how to hold successful events in the current state [...]
A long-time client who holds an annual educational conference for its professional members did not want to lose a year of presenting new procedures and treatments to their members due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They knew they could not hold a three day in-person conference with live presentations and [...]
I recently received an invitation to an annual general meeting (AGM) for an association of which I am a member. My first instinct was to ignore the email and not attend the AGM, especially since it is not part of the annual conference and it will be held virtually [...]
In a world where the show must go on, a new and increasingly popular avenue is virtual conferences. We are seeing many organizations adopt this method and hold informative, productive, and connective online events. Follow the tips and tricks below to get the most of out attending your association’s [...]
2020 has seen association events cancelled left, right, and centre due to physical distancing protocols. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, social gatherings now restricted to small groups. Hotels, convention centres, and other venues are enacting new health and safety guidelines. In August, I hosted an online brainstorming session with [...]
Many associations have been forced to cancel in-person professional development meetings and/or trade shows because of the COVID-19 pandemic, as described in my colleagues' recent article Association Trade Shows Gone Virtual. The cancellation of these events both reduces the value of association membership and threatens some association’s financial sustainability. Virtual [...]
