The Coronavirus is continuing to spread throughout the world. Anyone who believes this is not as big as it actually is may want to reconsider. Everyone has a right to be concerned about the virus and take necessary steps to protect themselves.
One way that event organizers believe
they can reduce the spread of the virus
is by cancelling events that have a large audience. In many situations this is
the best decision due to the growing amount of infected people.
However, in the midst of the spread
of the Coronavirus, event organizers must do their part to build public trust
when so many believe they can get the Coronavirus through their event.
Coronavirus – 6 Ways Event Organizers Can Build Public Trust
1 – Have an effective Communications
Plan
The lead planner or committee needs
to have accurate reporting of the Coronavirus and provide that information to
attendees. Failing to tell your audience if they are susceptible to the virus
at your event will only reduce public trust.
Event organizers should also keep
attendees updates as far in advance as possible and annotate on their websites
the possibility that their event may be cancelled if the risk is too high. This
allows attendees to get travel insurance and have a Plan B should they still
travel to the event location.
Lastly, your team should inform
attendees of myths verses truths about the virus.
2 – Establish a Coronavirus Watch
Team
This is an added measure, but most
effective to aid you with the first point made. Ensure this team is in direct
communication with local and national health organizations and have the latest
information as it is released.
This team should also be responsible
for running risk management and advising if the event should continue or be
cancelled. This is a health issue and no event is that important if your event
will be used as a vehicle to spreading the virus.
3 – Work with Other Planners
Event Planners have a lot of
resources and for those who have already planned large public events during
this time, they have valuable information that you can use. Don’t be afraid to
hold a meeting or Town Hall with Event Planners to better understand the
affects of the virus against events.
4 – Use your event as a Testing
Opportunity
There are thousands of testing kits
available yet not as many people using them. If you have a large event, why not
give people the opportunity to use those kits so that scientist can better
understand the trajectory of the virus? It’s optional.
5 – Outline The Measures You are
Taking For Prevention
Your attendees have the right to know
what steps you are taking to help prevent them from getting the virus possibly
through your event. Outline:
- How you are
handling food - Sanitation
Measures - Registration
measures to possibly prevent people from affected areas from attending - Having a medical
team on site
6 – Define a clear set of reasons to cancel the event
Improving public trust means clear actions to which you make
your decisions. Establish guidelines for when and why you will cancel your
event. Outline how you can make these events virtual if possible. If it is
possible, begin working on the virtual platform now and not when the event is
cancelled.
These 6 steps will not cover everything that event
organizers can do to help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. However, this
is a good starting point to building public trust in your event. Hysteria and
assumptions have no place in at your event.
For more help in making sure your event maintains high standards during the Coronavirus, contact me.