Registration - Virtual Winter & Holiday Showcase
Event Overview:
Join us virtually on October 13 to hear from 8+ venues and vendors focused on helping you make your holiday and winter events rock! Sponsors will give 3-minute, pre-recorded, rapid-fire presentations to deliver the essence of their offerings to you in short order, then you can meet with representatives of companies you are interested in if you like.
Benefits for Planners:
- Learn about 8+ venues & vendors for your winter and holiday events.
- Hear quick 3-minute overview presentations from each business to learn what makes them the best bet for your next event.
- Meet senior sales representatives with Chicago's hottest vendors & venues for winter & holiday events.
- Leave with special offers and incentives from our showcasing businesses
- Get everything you need to host the hottest events this winter in under an hour!
- Access to the virtual showcase is free for planners thanks to our sponsors!
How AV Chicago can take the stress out of hosting an online or hybrid event
Safety is still at utmost importance as we continue to work from home and take precautions around events and social gatherings. As the vaccine numbers increase steadily, meeting and event professionals are gearing up for hosting in-person and hybrid events to bring people back together safely. Luckily, AV Chicago and partner Chop Shop have found a way to take the stress out of planning hybrid and online events. With an expert team and a state of the art facility, any planner should feel comfortable enough to explore the possibilities of hosting a hybrid event.
In order to keep engagement after so much technology fatigue, a new hybrid approach may be your best option to keep attendees engaged. Not only will a hybrid event help create an exceptional experience for all your attendees no matter where they are participating, but it will also take care of your in-person hospitality needs as well. President of AV Chicago, Andrew Brode notes
“The studio will be a great asset to our client’s upcoming virtual and hybrid events. We have built a space that looks as spectacular in person as it does virtually. Coupled with our production skills and event platform, we continue to elevate what a virtual event should be.â€
- Andrew Brode, President, AV Chicago
Meeting and event planners are looking for ways to make their upcoming events stronger by using high-end production work including professional video, audio, and lighting. To produce quality online events, you need to find a good partner that can not only handle the technical aspects but also provide a scenic space that will look great on camera and in person. With only a few studios in the Chicagoland area set up for these types of events, AV Chicago’s Chop Shop studio is the premier partner for any hybrid or virtual event.
Make it easier on yourself for your next event, and create your most engaging presentation yet! To learn more about AV Chicago’s Chop Shop Studio, visit AV Chicago.
Written by: Natalie Kokaska
Out of the Box Ideas for Kits to Accent Virtual Events
Looking to add some flavor to your next virtual event? Here are some ideas that will get everyone excited to jump on Zoom!
Crafts - Bring out your inner child while crafting something for your outer adult
- Paint Your Own Wine Glass Kit: Wine nights just got a little more interesting! Design your own glass to make what you're drinking out of more fun than what's inside.
- Paint by Numbers Kit: Paint like Picasso and finally fill that empty wall space with a design of your own! All you have to do is match the paint color to the numbers.
- Make Your Own Charcuterie Boards: Who said crafting is all paint and glue? Turn delicious foods into a colorful masterpiece!
Treats - These tasty treats will make it impossible to leave the event hungry
- Snack Magic: Satisfy all your junk food cravings with Snack Magic! Snack Magic allows you to pick your own snacks and drinks to enjoy.
- Branded S’mores Kit: Experience the best part of camping without the camping. These ooey gooey treats are perfect to make at home!Â
- Wine Tasting Experiences: Get a taste of all your favorite wines! The perfect way to add class into any event.Â
Photography - Memories fade but pictures last a lifetime
- Baby Picture Competition: Guess who?! Send in your best baby picture and go back to a simpler time.
- Selfie Stick: Grab onto your selfie stick! Did it really happen if you didn't take a picture?
Competition - A little friendly competition never hurt anyone
- Pot Your Own Succulent Competition: Add some more life into your plants. See who can pot the succulents the fastest!
- Virtual Scavenger Hunt: A digital version of eye spy. Use your computer skills to find what is hidden!
These activities are worth talking about. Hop on these trends to make any virtual event more fun!
Written By: Megan Collins
Creating Memorable Experiences Both In-Person and Virtually
We live in a world that is fast paced and full of possibility. This can make it challenging to keep everybody interested in what you have to offer, and more importantly, interested in coming back to your event or business. Here are some ideas to make your audience feel more involved in all of your events. By continuously supplying the audience with things to do, you can make any event engaging!Â
When live events come back, we will be challenged as planners to think of new and exciting ways to keep people entertained and indulged. After over a year of working from home and interacting through our computer cameras, coming back to an in-person event will feel like a very new and exciting experience that we have longed for. But with this excitement, may come new expectations. Events and meetings are a natural habitat for networking and people come to socialize with people with similar interests. Planners are already challenged to find ways for attendees to network with the entire audience both virtually and in-person. Guests tend to feel more comfortable at an event when they are familiar with the community. Construct a LinkedIn or Facebook event group where participants can have conversations leading up to the event and can continue discussions and remain active during the event.Â
Just like with live events, it is very important to keep its participants engaged in virtual events. Virtual events can be tricky because it is easier to get distracted while attending an event online. Some factors to keep in mind are polling, chat, and live attendee engagement. Polling is a tool used by marketers to receive data but also increase guest engagement. Pre-event polling lets the guests believe that their interests will be incorporated into the content delivered at the virtual event and makes them more interested in participating. Pre-event polling could also be related to a gift, a catering order, or even an activity that attendees will partake in like Odyssey Team’s Virtual Team Mosaic. Engagement doesn’t start or stop when you start your zoom meeting, it starts as soon as you capture the interest of your attendee and goes through their post-event experience.Â
There are several other ways to create memorable experiences at events both in person and virtually. Attendee gifts are a great way to get people excited about attending an event. People love receiving something they can take home. Sending your guests event bags is a perfect way to guarantee virtual event participation, especially if you fill the bag with something they can enjoy during the event. In the recent Virtual Planner Master Class, Garrett Popcorn introduced their new snack-sized bags that are individually packed with your favorite flavor and delivered. These bags are the perfect way to stay engaged with a snack in virtual meetings or even in-person meetings since they are safely packed and sealed. The recent Planner Master Class early registrants enjoyed a gift box shipped to them with a snack pack of Garrett Mix, NEW Garrett Simply Indulgent S’Mores flavor, and Frango milk mints which were great snacks while attending the meeting.Â
Entertainers are, of course, great at entertaining the audience and driving engagement. There are so many forms of entertainment to keep audiences engaged and having fun. Some examples of entertainment are live music, DJ, comedian, guest speakers, or even a live show or performance. Entertainment is important for both live and virtual events and can be a real game changer with online programming. It can be used to make the event fun or to get your guest attention for another topic. The world famous Blue Man Group shared a pre-recorded performance for the Planner Master Class to kick off the networking happy hour. This Webinar performance helped kick off the fun portion of the event into the networking portion and kept the participants interested.
There are so many ideas to keep audiences engaged. Knowing your audience and providing them with options is the perfect first step to any event!
Author: Megan Collins, Ateema
Using Art and Entertainment to Welcome Back Your Employees
Using Art and Entertainment to Welcome Back Your Employees
Many of us have traversed the rocky path of the last 8 months with tunnel vision, focused on the light up ahead that signals better days and a return to business as usual. However, we can acknowledge that this journey has not been without glimmers of light along the way, provided by virtual gatherings centered around art, music, and entertainment. The arts have both uplifted and grounded us during these trying times and continue to be the binding element that brings our communities together to tribute, network, and celebrate.
Live Art International hopes to continue this momentum by working with their clients to incorporate art and entertainment into their re-opening plans. Their visual approach to event branding is the perfect way for companies to energize employees and signal to the community that they are open for business. “We have 2 clients we are working with to design communal muralsâ€, notes CEO, Dayna Malow. “Companies are using the creation of art to signify a new beginning, with employees coming together at select times to each contribute to a unique mural being erected on site.†Music is also a cue that a celebration is in order. “ Gatherings that encourage dancing are still off the table, however, we are seeing some traction for our soloist and smaller ensembles, with adequate space allotment provided, so all can be at a safe and comfortable distanceâ€.
Covid precautions have also become a regular part of the coming celebration plans. “We have now adjusted our artist riders to request larger set-up space and accommodations for bands and musicians, and our art engagement experiences will account for disinfecting time and more disposable single-use materials.†says Malow, “We are helping our clients rethink their event structure, designing micro-activities where larger groups are sub-divided with participation occurring at scheduled times or multiple locations, allowing for social distancing. This approach is similar to the break out room activities we have all been participating in the last few months.â€
As for the coming months, and what the light at the end of the tunnel will mean for the entertainment industry in Chicago, Malow says, “Whatever your re-opening plans may be, we hope that companies will consider including art and music. The Chicago entertainment community will continue to struggle throughout the ramp up period. They have played an active role in providing inspiration and encouragement to get us to this point in time. Supporting entertainers and entertainment vendors allows them to survive another day and ensures that they will be here to provide the celebratory soundtrack when we are all truly back to business.â€
Brought to you by: Live Art International
How Niche Travel Markets Are Thriving And What You Can Learn From Them
As travel has become more difficult to understand during the current crisis we are in, there are many travel niches that have proved to be the saviors of consumers. People will always have a desire to travel and continually are looking for the safest way to get out and enjoy themselves. Jeff Gayduk sits down with four industry insiders that each have their own foot in a niche travel market and explains how they have been continuing business as well as what has changed.Â
Nancy Schretter
Nancy Schretter is the founder and president of The Beacon Group, whose goals and market is travel, but more specifically family oriented trips along with groups. During the current crisis we are in, it has become increasingly frowned upon and harder to be going on vacations as it is a huge risk. But a big trend Schretter is seeing is the rise of road trips, especially within families in order to create a bubble to where they will ensure their safety. Options such as national parks, camping, RV trips, AirBnbs, and ranches have risen rapidly in popularity. Another key point is that it is not too late to book trips for upcoming holidays, there are still a lot of hot deals for travel and it's always good to plan ahead of time.
Keith Snode
Keith Snode is the COO of Kaleidoscope Adventures, a company that focuses on middle to high school students and getting trips planned through the school. In terms of how trips are being planned during COVID-19, they essentially are not according to Snode. It has become increasingly difficult to get trips approved by school boards, and Snode is on the side of not focusing on extracurricular trips and rather putting all the focus on just getting schools open. Kaleidoscope has started putting more of their focus on groups they know they can work with, such as the homeschool community, groups within the school and the schools that are smaller such as drama clubs, bands, and art clubs. As well as groups outside of school like youth and church groups that may be looking to go on local trips. This is due to there being no school board in which a trip would have to be approved through. Overall, Snode and his team are hopeful for the future and looking at all their options to get up and running again.
Alexander Gloss
Alexander Gloss is the CEO of China i2i Group which is based in Shanghai China. Being located in Shanghai has allowed Alexander to have a really unique insight and viewpoint on the travel industry and the entire COVID-19 crisis. Being able to hear and understand how China is doing relative to North America gives other companies an upper hand and what to expect or change. At the moment there is no international travel going on in China, yet domestic travel has exploded. This was due to cheap deals, and airlines giving almost free tickets to those looking to travel. Business in China for Alexander and China i2i has gone essentially back to normal, because of this Gloss says, there is hope for other countries and to just look to the future.
Jason Clement
Jason Clement is the founder and CEO of The Sports Facilities Management which has created a network of helping clients achieve whatever goals they set related to sports facilities. Focusing both on the youth and amateur markets of sports. The Sports Facilities Management has 20 facilities across 16 states, which has had its own problems for Clement. Due to regulations being different from state to state, Clement is having to work around 16 different governors guidelines and creating strategies that work for each state. Sports have had a large impact on the traveling market with many sports teams starting their seasons and fans as well as players looking to start up again. National events have proved to be much harder for Clement to kick start, but local outdoor events have been affirming that things are going to work out.
Things you Must-Do To Stay In Communication
Communication has been in the spotlight now more than ever with businesses coming up with innovative ways to communicate with their customers. Noreen Heron president of Heron Agency, Janet Isabelli founder of Isabelli Partners, Dakota Shultz co-founder of Agency 360, and Carol Fox president of Carol Fox and Associates came together to discuss their must-do things to communicate better to their customers in current times.
- Talk Directly to Customers
This may sound obvious but many businesses are not actively speaking directly with their customers. Posting on socials may let customers know about your business and the regulatory steps you are taking to keep them safe, but it is not enough. “I'm seeing a lot of signs and posters about safety precautions, but that takes the human aspect out of the business, use the voice of your employees to be more personal†says Dakota Shultz. Being intimate with customers gives them comfort. Customers are already uncomfortable with eating indoors, let them know what you're doing personally to make their experience the best it can be.Â
2. Know How to Communicate Safety Vs. the Experience
An issue many businesses are facing is trying to balance marketing their safety regulations and the experience. What's the right amount of balance between the two? Isabelli believes a 50/50 balance is key, showing your customers that you aren't putting safety to the side by giving it the same amount of attention you would the experience. While Heron thinks 60/40 is more in line with what people want, most customers are used to the guidelines now and at this point just want to focus on having a good time than worrying about the regulations stating “We are here to help youâ€.
 3. How to Plan For The FutureÂ
Many businesses are focusing on what to do in the future rather than worrying about re-opening or staying open right now if they are not able to. This is the wrong way to go about it because there is so much uncertainty on when and if things will go back to “normalâ€. Fox believes there is always a way to continue to bring content to customers stating “Try and do online shows rather than waiting and hopingâ€. The best way to figure out how to remain operating is simply ask the customers what makes them comfortable “take surveys instead of trying to assume what they want '' says Shultz. Being upfront can be one of the most powerful tools when trying to figure out what customers want, especially during such complicated times.
Your Production Guide To Going Online
Knowing how to move and execute an online or virtual event is becoming the new frontier, it's unknown and is constantly changing within a small period of time. Sean Denny, director of event, and production designer at LUXE productions has had plenty of experience with virtual production. Leading the charge in finding the most innovative way and techniques to keep viewers engaged, involved, and wanting more.
Denny defines the difference between a virtual event and a hybrid event. A virtual event being that “no one is gathered together†versus a hybrid event which involves a live crowd that is then being live streamed to others.
An important aspect about virtual events is that they “offer the least amount of options and least production valueâ€. Were all used to putting a silly virtual background in our zoom meeting, but that level of production is no longer sustainable.
Hybrid events have shown in the past to be the most powerful type of online event because of the fact it allows for a much higher production value. The downfall of this is that it can take weeks or months to plan out and get ready.
Deciding which of these two are better requires businesses to look at multiple factors. Those being current regulations, will local or international guests be attending? Is the content time sensitive? What is your budget? These four factors are how a business can strategically decide what type of event to host.
But, what is next? Everyone is sick of zoom calls and it has quickly become the standard way to communicate since COVID-19 has impacted our society. The zoom trend is already dying out and is becoming a “boring†tool when trying to engage an audience for an online event.
Jamie Grossman, president of Luxe Productions gives his thoughts on what new trends will start to be implemented moving forward. The first being augmented reality, utilizing the ability to build any kind of environment in order to engage the audience for longer. The downfall to using high quality technology to increase engagement is it has to be used correctly to be successful. “It doesn't matter how expensive the equipment used to capture an event or presentation is, if the content is not interesting it is not going to capture your audience†says Denny. Watching a computer screen rather than being there at the event is entirely different, the attention span of the viewer is significantly smaller. The solution to this Grossman says is “45 minutes tops†for a singular event to run.
Coronavirus Travel Sentiment Index - Latest Findings on How Americans are Approaching Travel Decision Making
Destination Analysis Inc. President & CEO, Erin Francis-Cummings gives an insightful presentation about data on tourism and travel trends in the United States. It's no surprise that COVID-19 has had a major impact on travel plans across the country. Nevertheless with a vaccine in progress, Americans are slowly feeling more confident to begin traveling again.
When Travelers were asked to describe in ‘one word’ how they felt about traveling during the pandemic, this is how they responded. In the first month they felt scared, in May they felt cautious, and now they feel cautious but excited.
Cummings shares some promising statistics that bring optimism for the travel industry. 52.2% of Americans have excitement and openness to travel and 78% have travel plans for the upcoming year. “There’s a lessening of fear and it has transmitted to travel,†said Cummings.
Looking back at findings from the summer, July and August were the peak travel months which mostly included college graduates and partners. Additionally, when traveling Americans were more reliant on hotels for safety information. 32% of these travelers stayed at 3-4 star hotels and 82.7% rated “satisfied†to “very satisfied†about their stays at hotels during a pandemic. In terms of operational practices wanted by guests, included well-explained cleaning procedures, hand sanitizers, and available face masks & wipes.
Due to current conditions, travelers had a decrease in their typical vacation spending. This was not due to restaurants or attractions being closed, but because travelers are purposely being more budget conscious. In addition, Cummings adds that offering discounts would cause a motivation in Americans to begin traveling.
When asked if a vaccine would change the attitude of traveling for Americans, 44.1% said yes and 47.5% said they would need to wait 3-12 months before getting the vaccine. In a Travel Sentiment Index used by Destination Analysis, it has found that those in rural areas, air travelers, cruise travelers and women are most marketable at the moment.
If you’re interested in this study, new findings come out every Monday morning or you can also visit the website at https://www.destinationanalysts.com/covid-19-insights/.
How Hotels are Making it Safe for Tourism, Meetings & Events
Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association President and CEO, Michael Jacobson weighs in on the struggles the tourism industry has been facing since the pandemic hit. Jacobson expresses that hotels were the first to be affected and are potentially going to be the last to recover. Yet, he has hopes of “opportunity and optimism†in our industry.
Jacobson, Senior Vice President of Hyatt, Steven Enselein and General Manager of Embassy Suites By Hilton Chicago - Downtown, Kathy Heneghan discuss hotel safety protocols, the adaption to change and the future for events including hybrid. Back in April hotel occupancy in Chicago was at 22% and has slowly started to recover with the most recent rate of 39% in July.
In terms of hotel and event safety, Hilton has partnered with Lysol and Mayo Clinic to start CleanStay standards. A program that is dedicated to innovative solutions during COVID-19. It includes a cleaning protocol with a verified checklist, an “event-ready seal†put on every door, ensuring vendors are compliant with social distancing guidelines, flexible contracts, sanitation stations and a safer food & beverage experience for the guests and chefs by incorporating plexiglass.
In addition, Hyatt Hotels have also incorporated a comprehensive plan. They have partnered with the Cleveland Clinic and the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) to create a safe experience from arrival to departure. It specifically targets what guests can expect and what changes they may face. Hyatt has provided mobile check in, a digital key, limited capacity in elevators, social distancing in restaurants, clear entrances & exits, and having the flexibility of choosing a time for housekeeping.“Communication is key and we want guests to feel comfortable and safe,†Enseilein stated.
Both hotels are focusing on proper training of staff for all protocols including issued masks, social distancing markers and signage around the lobby reminding guests and staff of the requirements. “Lead with Hospitality,†Hanaghen states, to remind guests to not only wear a mask, but to also remind them of why it’s needed.
If there is a silver lining to COVID-19, Enseilen says collaboration and working together has been seen more in this era than ever before, a hybrid component will only expand events and this an opportunity to remember why we meet face to face.