I am an independent (freelance) meeting planner, with 20 years of experience in Corporate Meetings and Incentives. All of my business for 2020 was canceled by mid-April. My clients were not interested in virtual events, as they place a high value on the personal interaction and networking that occurs at in-person events. I helped produce one virtual event in June, but that was it as far as virtual goes. Honestly, my experience during the pandemic has really felt more like “duck & cover” than adaptation. Just trying to ride it out until things get going again. I’ve spent time doing a lot of reading of industry publications, getting certified as a “Pandemic Compliance Advisor”, and keeping in touch with other freelance colleagues and clients.
I think I am starting to detect a “heartbeat” with clients for 2021….so I am hopeful I can get back into actual planning by March/April, for events in the second half of 2021. But if this pandemic has taught me anything, it’s that we cannot easily predict what lies ahead. I am cautiously optimistic though.