As the nation grapples with the mayhem caused by the novel Coronavirus, not only is the physical and mental well-being of individuals that is getting affected but the economy is also facing the brunt of this menace.
One such badly hit industry is the event/exhibitions industry, and one of them is
Mohd Badrudduja owner of HBN EVENTS PVT LTD who is trying to adopt new normal through, virtual meetings and online events. conferences would be the thing! Many conferences, meeting and events across the world were cancelled and postponed indefinitely owing to the global pandemic and social distancing rules implemented to secure oneself from the dangerous virus.

There were also instances of transforming the conferences to a digital platform and conducting them virtually over a small audience and with lesser output. The event industry is no stranger to this trend, with the announcement of the lockdown, the sphere of outdoor entertainment came to an absolute standstill However, it is rightly said, “when the going gets tough, the tough gets going.” Similarly, the event sector made space for numerous innovative ideas such as hosting events in such a way that viewers can enjoy the performance of their favourite artist right from the comfort of their homes.

one must note that the dynamic sphere of events will not always have a digital orientation. Several experts have suggested that a gradual transition will be witnessed, which will entail three primary phases – phase 1 will be the initial 3-5 months, boasting about online events, followed by phase 2 for the next 6 months, marking the slow as well as contained start of physical experience with limited attendees, and finally the phase 3 which will follow in another 6 months to a year, wherein the entire industry will be bouncing back stronger and better. However, aspects such as consumer safety and personal hygiene will be the priority of organisers amongst other facets.

After all, these unprecedented hours require unmatched solutions and here are some ways in which the industry is driving home the new normal:

The conventional events could be characterised by multitudes of people, a large arena and a stage where the artist is performing his/her act. However, on being asked, numerous individuals mentioned that they could not enjoy to the fullest as they felt disconnected or uncomfortable by the overcrowding of the venue.
The events which are being organised in the corona era, successfully overcome all these flaws and provide consumers with the opportunity to enjoy the show from the comfort of their very homes. In addition to this, many instances have been noted wherein the artists have honoured the requests made by the viewers. The personalisation quotient is further boosted, as the new arrangements provide an actual glimpse into the life of one’s favourite performer.

Finally, the biggest change that the new normal has brought with itself is the re-establishment of the world as a global village. However, this time it is a virtual village that connects all those who are sitting at their respective homes waiting for these hours to pass.

It is safe to say that businesses are no longer money-making endeavours, rather they are gigantic empires possessing sensitivity that helps them cater to the smallest needs of their consumers whilst establishing a comfortable environment for them. Finally, organisations should strive towards creating communities, both digitally as well as physically. These communities facilitate improved cross selling, increased loyalty and enhanced testing of new products.

Speaking on the current situation in event industries Mohd Badar told to BHN NEWS that One of the real problems the industry would face in the long run is that it would be tough to re-organize an event when they don’t have any timescale. As there is no specific time limit of complete eradication of COVID-19 or its control, it is hard to predict any rescheduling of events soon. To add to the woes of the events industry, there have also been media reports which suggested that Coronavirus could re-surface next winter, making event organizers more nervous about committing time and money to rescheduled events.

Every kind of event has its pros and cons- be it an in-person or a remote experience! For the organizers, the challenge lies in identifying the meeting model that would suit the situation well and go forward with it efficiently. In the present state, however, hybrid and live events are an optimum choice. They should be a primary consideration for organizations that have significant events lined up shortly.