CES 2021 Is Going Virtual! Now what?

The annual trade show organized by the Consumer Technology Association known as CES has long been considered the digital stage for innovation. From its Westworld-inspired activations to the exciting technology it presents to its tech-savvy audience, CES has consistently been pushing forward. And yet again, the people behind the show seem to be at the forefront of change. Because it’s recently been announced that CES 2021 will be entirely virtual, keeping up with the latest trend.

Many people in the industry still held onto the hope that the first quarter of next year would allow for in-person events to come back with a vengeance. However, due to the current state of uncertainty, this mindset can be dangerous. And now that CES 2021 will officially be a digital experience, events industry professionals are forced to face the facts. But while having such a high-profile event move to the virtual sphere might symbolize that in-person won’t return any time soon, planners shouldn’t despair. On the contrary, if CES can do it, there’s no reason to believe you can’t!

If you still have your doubts, that’s fair. But Will Curran and Nick Borelli might be able to change your mind. In this week’s episode of Event Brew, our amazing hosts will be discussing the CES 2021 situation. Can this be the wake-up call the industry needed? Is there anything we can learn from this huge step the event has decided to take? Grab your favorite drink, press play, and join us for another episode of the most iconic podcast in the industry!

So, What Is A Hybrid Event, Really?

It's the question on everyone's minds, and the Brew Crew is here to answer - what is a hybrid event? Sure, superficially it might seem easy to understand. But we want to go deeper than just your standard Oxford Dictionary definition. What makes hybrid events great? Why are they so important? And what can planners do to create a successful hybrid experience in a world where these types of events are gaining enormous momentum?

That's exactly what Will Curran, Thuy Diep, and Nick Borelli are bringing to the table on today's episode of Event Brew. As per usual, our incredible hosts are ready to have a candid, filter-free conversation about the topic. Everything you've ever wanted to know about design for hybrid events, how to make them stand out, and why they will be the future if done right will be discussed this week. So grab your favorite drink and join the party!

Event Planning Around Political Unrest

Ignoring politics, in general, is hard. Ignoring politics during the current state of things is impossible. As the world struggles to contain a global pandemic and a series of protests arise throughout several countries, event planners need to take a step back. Once again, we urge you to remember why you chose this profession and why you love this industry. And a while ago, we touched upon this topic when we discussed storytelling. But amidst current circumstances, it becomes more relevant than ever.

Event planners have a responsibility towards their attendees and, to a certain extent, towards the world. The power of events lies in bringing people together, no matter the circumstances. And so far, we proved successful. But how does event planning around political unrest work? What part do we play in being game-changers and help push the world forward? Join Nick Borelli, Dustin Westling, and Thuy Diep as they discuss this topic on this week's incredible edition of Event Brew!

CDC Guidelines For Events

It's time to talk about safety - and that means CDC guidelines for events. Because in a world where COVID-19 is still present, planners need to start getting up to date with the program. As the economy starts opening back up, the events industry has to keep up with the measures put in place to protect people. Hybrid events will come into play. And in order to make attendees feel safe, as well as to respect the CDC guidelines for events, some studying and research become necessary.

Obviously, things will keep changing accordingly to the state of the world. But that's just another reason for event professionals to stay on top of these guidelines. Because as we discussed recently, only events that ensure safety will emerge as the winners. So, what are the biggest risk factors? And what must event planners do to ensure maximum safety for their attendees now and in the future? Are there any specific measures depending on the size and nature of the event? All of this and more will be discussed on this week's episode of Event Brew, hosted by Thuy Diep, Will Curran, and Nick Borelli. So press play and join the conversation!

GBAC STAR Accreditation: A New Standard For The Industry

This week's Event Brew will take you on a journey through the GBAC STAR Accreditation. So, are you confused yet? It does sound like a mouthful, but in the COVID-19 era, this will be new code venues swear by. A couple of weeks ago, Bizbash published an article tackling the topic. And because this podcast is all about bringing you the latest news in the industry, we had to break this down for you. So, in its essence, the GBAC STAR Accreditation represents a series of cleaning, disinfecting, and disease prevention standards with the aim of promoting the health and safety of attendees.

And considering the events that have taken place, and continue to exist, it's no wonder such an accreditation came to be. Because now more than ever, safety is paramount in the events industry. And venues that wish to stay afloat must put extra effort into assuring this safety. At its core, it's about trust and credibility. But what exactly does the GBAC STAR Accreditation entail? Will it represent a step forward towards the "new normal"? And what does it mean for the industry as a whole? Well, if you're curious, then smash that play button and join the Brew Crew - Thuy, Nick, and Will - on another amazing episode!

How Virtual Events Can Be Better Than Face To Face

Let’s talk about how virtual events can be better than face to face. Because there are a lot of misconceptions flying around in regards to virtual experiences. On the one hand, event planners everywhere are adopting this format. On the other hand, they’re only doing it because they don’t have a choice. And it’s quite hard to find someone in the industry that believes virtual events can be just as good, or even better, than in-person ones. After all, how can sitting in front of a computer ever compare to the raw and classic face to face experience?

The industry is facing a series of challenges. And when everything seems to be crumbling around us, there’s a tendency to only see the bad. So there’s clearly a lot of reluctancy on the part of event professionals when it comes to the potential success of a virtual event. But here’s the kicker – if only you open your mind to it, you might be very surprised at how virtual events can be better than face to face. So grab your favorite drink and join the Brew Crew. Because Nick Borelli, Thuy Diep, Will Curran, and Dustin Westling have a lot of wisdom to share on this week’s episode of Event Brew!

When Will In-Person Events Return: Recognising The Tipping Point

When will in-person events return? That's been the question on everyone's minds since the rug was pulled from under our feet. As an industry, we've gone through some troubled times in the past. But nothing has tested our motivation and persistence quite like the COVID-19 pandemic. Because all of a sudden, no one knew what to do anymore. The events industry covers a significant portion of people who depend on it to make ends meet. And people depend on it to establish meaningful connections, to learn, to become better. In many ways, our industry is a shelter of sorts. And when it all came crashing down, it was terrifying.

But as always, event professionals proved they won't go down without a fight. And for months, we've seen an incredible spike in virtual events. Because despite everything that's been happening, people need other people now more than ever. And the events industry delivered, in spite of all the obstacles that were put in front of it.

However, it's time to start shifting the conversation. Even though the pandemic is far from done, positive signs of change can be seen all over the world. And this has prompted the question of when will in-person events return to come back. So, what will be the signs that we're at a tipping point for events? Obviously, things won't go back to the way they were before anytime soon. But that doesn't mean they will stay the way they are now. So, in the face of all of this, how can event profs prepare? What will the new normal look like? And how can the industry adapt?

That's exactly what the Brew Crew will be talking about on this week's episode! As per usual, Will Curran, Nick Borelli, Thuy Diep, and Dustin Westling are ready to lay down their predictions. So get your drink of choice and join us for another incredible edition of Event Crew, the best podcast in the events industry!

Duty Of Care In The Events Industry

As event professionals, we're bound to the duty of care. In case you're not fully aware of what this means, the Legal Dictionary defines it as the "responsibility of a person or organization to take all reasonable measures necessary to prevent activities that could result in harm to other individuals and/or their property". And if you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. Because planners are responsible for the safety of their attendees. Whether that applies to physical or emotional harm, we have a lot of responsibility in our hands. To a certain extent, we hold peoples' lives in our hands.

But how much thought is truly put into this? To what extents do planners go to ensure the safety and well-being of their attendees? And what consequences can come out of neglecting our duty of care? Well, that's exactly what the Brew Crew will be discussing this week! Our amazing hosts Thuy Diep, Dustin Westling, and Nick Borelli are in the house. And they are joined by a very special guest, Kevin White. The four of them will talk about the implications of the duty of care in the events industry. What we should do to ensure it, why, and how sour things can get if we don't. So grab your favorite drink and press play - it's time for another episode of Event Brew!

The Events Industry & The Hub And Spoke Method Post-Pandemic

Recently, BizBash shared an article that proposed the hub and spoke method. Now, why does this make sense and what does it even mean? Let us paint a vivid picture for you: as a pandemic sweeps the world, the events industry suffers. But planners and profs alike are resourceful, which is why we're seeing a huge spike in virtual events. And as days pass, there is only one certainty all of us can agree on. In the words of David Adler, "the world that we knew is over". Which might seem a little scary and even outright demoralizing at first. But if we really think about it, the fact that the world is changing isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Because the world is constantly changing! And the events industry changes along with it, making an effort to implement the newest technology and push forward sustainability concerns. As humans and event professionals, we have no choice but to adapt to the new circumstances if we want to survive and, eventually, thrive. So, what can we expect from a world post-pandemic? If things won't be exactly as they were, then what will they be like?

It's within this scope that David Adler introduces the hub and spoke method. This is essentially a way to connect small groups of people and speakers across several venues, merging old-school and virtual events together in spectacular fashion. And the Brew Crew has a lot to say about it! So join us this week as Will Curran, Nick Borelli, and Dustin Westling get together to discuss what the hub and spoke model could mean for the events industry and how planners can adapt to the new world. Grab your favorite drink, press play, and don't waste another minute - let's talk about the future!

Remote Work: Is It Helping Or Hurting The Events Industry?

Remote work is the new normal. And not just for the events industry, but for many people around the world. The current state of things surrounding the global pandemic forced companies to take quick action. In many ways, remote work can be a blessing. It affords more freedom, a better balance between personal and professional life, and overall more productivity. And due to the number of tools and technology available to us, it becomes seamless to implement. It’s not a new paradigm by new means; for years, many companies have chosen to go remote in order to promote inclusivity and better work culture.

However, for many, it requires some adjustments. For those used to work in an office environment, remote work can actually seem scary. And when it comes to the events industry, things get slightly more complex. But since there’s no other choice right now, the Brew Crew decided to sit down and discuss the topic. Our incredible hosts Nick Borelli, Thuy Diep, and Dustin Westling got together to decide whether remote work is hurting or helping the industry.

From their varying perspectives, what does this new paradigm mean to event profs? Are they more productive? Or are there simply too many distractions to make it work? What tips can they give us to make it be a saving grace and a step forward instead of something dreadful? If you want to figure out, stick around. Grab your favorite drink and press play – we’re about to brew something up!