and he is a totally fun guy!

it’s probably because we don’t know how to do anything else

been banned from flights

I chose no change because we already had reductions (25%) but things have leveled off.

It's not that I don't want to travel, it

I completely agree... never stopped flying, and also felt very safe each time.

it's that my organization is banning all "non essential" travel.

and include live music

This was a really eye-opening graphic for me about just how long vaccine rollout will take worldwide and what that means for resuming “normal” activity – Jan. 2022 in the U.S.: https://www.gzeromedia.com/the-graphic-truth-the-unequal-road-to-herd-immunity

I have traveled as well. I had to move because my travel was putting my roommate at too great a risk. Thank goodness for remote work!

I was furloughed via a text in March as a Director of Sales for a 3 hotels in NYC…I only heard back from ownership in November to come back 1 day a week.

My members are educators who have been back at work in schools for moths, although sometimes off and on. So we are feeling some pressure to have F2F events again.

hi everyone happy to. be on the call can’t wait to get back to live events!!!!

Hi Everybody!

We do our annual board retreat at a resort, but it's not a luxury one by any means. Money is still too tight for us.

1000% agree Alexandra

As associations, I think we have to be careful about what the example we set says to our members and the broader community – and that includes the example of how we’re spending our resources in such a difficult economic moment.

Wining and dining the board would send the wrong message after staff and benefit reductions have taken place.

We have our annual convention in two weeks and it's virtual. We normally have 12,000 attendees. Right now, we have 5,000 registered. We normally have 500 exhibiting companies. Right now, we have 105. So virtual for our big event is definitely not bringing in the revenue we need. We did have three smaller virtual conferences (1,000 attendees) and they made budget. But I think people are tired of virtual and so aren't signing up.

@Lori - I agree - we had great support from members last year. Everyone wanted to help out but now the uncertainty continues so they are more careful with spending and evaluating the ROI of the virtual conference, especially the sponsors/exhibitors - they did not perceive value.

Those considering in-person events, where are you looking? Places more "open" with less mandates or the opposite as they'll have a greater perception of safety?

@Theresa, definitely. The vendors have been very clear that they have tried virtual at other conferences and did not see the value.

We had half attendance and 1/3 exhibitors and netted half the typical revenue. If we can't go hybrid in Q3 and 4 I believe all virtual will net less in 2021.

@Lori & @Theresa - I hear you. Not all events do well virtually. I've been learning some events are in-person products and others are more cost effective virtual.

The cap charts need to be written with all percentages, b/c the max caps keep changing.

YES YES YES!!!!

@Jennifer Gregory - we just booked a meeting for May 2021 in Amelia Island, FL. We surveyed the membership and were realistic about our room block and commitments prior to signing. We actually moved our meeting location from a more restrictive state that would inhibit our attendance. We chose the new location based on the fact that there's a lot of outdoor space, many outdoor activities, (great weather for the outdoors), ability to drive-in relatively easily, and/or a "less busy" airport (Jacksonville International).

@Amanda Motes - Thanks for sharing this comment!

I am so excited about June 23 live event I will be there would love to donate whatever promo items you might need

an event without live music is just a meeting

Thank you Marty!

Meet NY - June 23! (no broadway show but we're bringing that theme to the Marriott Marquis!)

You're welcome, Jen. We're moving forward with live events, safely and responsibly. It can be done!!

Bernard nailed it. We can’t be so aggressive to get back to normal that we dismiss the reality of challenges and logistics required to even remotely get there

Well said Bernard!

the hard issue is who absorbs risk - venue, planner, association

+David, yes key question

a version of NIMBY not in my back yard

I am in the middle of contract negotiations for an event in Australia - 2nd postponement - was March 2020, then March 2021, now Feb 2022 and they have a new rider where all the risk is on us which our attorney's are dealing with and negotiating. The have amazing safety/sanitation plan in place and therefore feel they are doing everything they can so if anything goes wrong it's on us. Plus we have to submit a covid plan to the venue and the government. We are creating covid plan anyway but this is onerous.

the big fish will eat the little fish in re liability

Also who bears the cost of Covid19 testing to get back to the USA and out for these events

@Bernard, thanks for sharing! I respectfully agree that more contract flexibility should be the new future for events. I work for Visit Buffalo Niagara and have been encouraging my partners to keep be flexible long-term, not as an "incentive" but as a standard for doing business. It's necessary.

you will see tons of individual waivers, similar to photo video waivers upon entrance

I am going to need a waiver from the people in this zoom call

Remember that most hotels are closed…the ones open have skeletons sales and house keeping staffs. Rewriting brochures to cover Covid protocols for many of them is not a top priority. As of now it’s done from the brands (Covid information) on their websites.

I would hope there would be a shared assumption of risk. There is no way of knowing where the infection originated by the time it is known someone is infectious at an event. Everyone has a part to play in keeping attendees and staff safe.

lol.. lawyers don’t like shared assumptions about anything

I'm one of those that answered 'I never stopped traveling' - I've never been asked to sign a waiver.

the airlines rejected my emotion support porcupine

Small group setting: in exercise class we sign name and phone number. explained for contract tracing. no resistance. would be lots of paper for a lot of meeting sessions.

contact tracing. no contracts. lol.

I think next Wed is the free all industry all seated event, that will include next generation of virtual

three hour national event, 6:30 Eastern

Hopin is a good platform. So is Remo. Both are much better for networking.

Hopin.com

February 3 Coffee Break: https://portal.nysaenet.org/events/event-details/?id=41b34465-6c87-4024-a1aa-eaf37fdefd6bFebruary 19 Tech Showcase: https://portal.nysaenet.org/events/event-details/?id=ef2f0f6a-8d62-4917-9523-e5e3dd896d20

Thanks, everyone!

Been in Hopin event. it works.

Love your humor David! APPRECIATE THE HOPIN RECOMMENDATION! Thank you all!!

Great to see you David Jackson, all the Best!!!!

This was great. Thank you David and Holly!

February 3 Coffee Break: https://portal.nysaenet.org/events/event-details/?id=41b34465-6c87-4024-a1aa-eaf37fdefd6bFebruary 19 Tech Showcase: https://portal.nysaenet.org/events/event-details/?id=ef2f0f6a-8d62-4917-9523-e5e3dd896d20

Also heard good things about Airmeet: https://www.airmeet.com/