Few weeks passed after the government announced that the Events Industry, in particular the MICE Industry, can now do expos and conferences by following specified health protocols.
I still eagerly await an announcement by someone from my peers that they will have a physical event.
The increasing numbers of Covid-19 Cases in the country and the questionable data system of the government don’t provide the confidence that event organizers can now do events.
If in August we see that the conditions are the same, we will never have any physical events this year. The psychological barrier is too high to get past the fear and develop confidence among organizers, exhibitors, participants, and attendees.
In this scenario, expect that virtual events will pour this third and fourth quarter of the year.
Companies that wanted to promote and engage with their market are numerous. They are left with no option but to find virtual events that will help them achieve their objectives.
In a way, the virtual event is not bad. We are in our four months under the pandemic. We have grown accustomed to the condition of the pandemic. The virtual world allowed us to survive and find a sense of normalcy in our lives.
Events Companies and MICE Companies in the Philippines have reached acceptable skills in running and managing virtual events. They will continue to upgrade their skills moving forward.
As one of the industry players, virtual events are now the life that we are in. The difficulties of convincing companies and partners to make their events virtual is expected. The challenge to make it profitable is something that keeps us all awake at night.
Overall, Virtual Events has been with us for the longest time. The pandemic caused us to get to know it more intimately. We are finding the positive effects that it can provide but we also recognize the shortcomings that it has.
Still, when all is said and done, when the pandemic is over, we can safely conclude that we will make Hybrid Event a new standard rather than an afterthought.
The pandemic started the wheel of digitalization faster in the Philippines. The old and the young are now sharing the same appreciation of the virtual space. The traditional thinking crumbled right in front of our eyes and gave way to the power of the virtual space.
As event organizers, we will never be the same.
4 Months in the Pandemic as an Online Events Manager. I see this trend grow until the next two years or might become one of the regular fixtures in creating an event.
I would like to share with you the 5 lessons that I have learned up until now.
Be Brave is more of you need to adapt to the changing conditions that the pandemic brought.
As the MICE Industry and Tourism Industry were completely shut down and frozen. We in our organization ask the question what now?
What now leads you to try different paths, mostly dead ends. But if you keep on trying, you will find better places that you can navigate and work on.
Be Brave is being more of a solution finder. Rather than give up, we choose to get up. Make something from this very difficult condition.
Robert Frost said, “ The Best Way Out is Through.” That is what Bravery can do for you.
Nobody expected this pandemic. There are no playbooks available to guide you in this type of situation.
We are a 20-year-old event organizer, I am in the events industry for more than 25 years. This is the first time that I am experiencing a pandemic.
There are no readymade answers. This is the reason why you have to venture into the trial and error phase.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
It is by making mistakes that we become closer to success. This is best said by John Maxwell, we always Fail Forward.
And it is not a win or lose the game but a win or learn the game.
We exist because of our clients. They are the WHY of our organization. The reason why we have an organization.
Before pandemic, we are already tuned-in to their needs and expectations.
Now that we are inside a pandemic, the more that we should listen to them.
Bigger brands try to gain Brand Love. I think we should also try to emulate them and use them as an example.
If we do, we will achieve better results as online event managers.
Again, listen more to your clients. Usually, they are afraid and unsure about bringing their events online. You must assure them and work hard to deliver what you promise.
As a team, now more than ever you must communicate, collaborate, and coordinate tighter.
Work From Home is difficult but the more we communicate we can have better collaboration and ensure that completion of tasks are achieved because of better coordination.
When you are one of the first, others will follow, not only MICE Organizers but technology providers and other organizations that are looking to pivot.
After 4 months, we now have a bigger competition. Andrew Grove’s dictum of ” Only the Be Paranoid Survive” is your best friend.
While They are trying to copy you or using your organization as an inspiration. You should be making 3 to 5 steps forward so they cannot catch-up.
You already offered your Minimum Viable Product. It is time to improve it.
Never Settle. True before the pandemic truer during this pandemic.
We are in the new normal where the conditions are very fluid.
These are the 5 lessons that I have learned as an Online Events Manager or Online MICE Planner during this pandemic.
I hope you learn and gain insights.
