This post is part of the HopSkip Planner Spotlight Series where HopSkip spotlight's planners across the industry to bring awareness of how they adapted to COVID-19, communicating and lessons learned and sharing how they are viewing the meetings and events industry in a post-pandemic world.
Name: Andrea Peterson
Company Name: ASAP Meetings & Events
Job Title: Owner & President/CEO
Years of Experience: 25 years
How were you able to adapt during COVID-19 when the meeting and events industry got disrupted?
My adaption during the pandemic centered around changing my availability to full-time teaching and the protocols and methodologies I used to do so.
As a planner, what was the number one thing you learned over the past year?
I have learned how incredibly resilient this industry is and remains to be. We aren't working in one of the most stressful careers for nothing. As for meeting and event planners, we are the ones who can take the hits and get back up and do things better, with more finesse, and more spunk on a continual basis. Cranky attendees and logistical issues at events are simply the consistent training ground for us. We learn to adapt quickly and to flex and that is exactly what has allowed us to persevere through the struggles of the past year.
Is there anything you are changing in your planning process moving forward as a result of the pandemic?
I see the planning process to consistently include a virtual component for every event. Those who want to stay home or need to stay home are encouraged to do so more now than ever before. To that end, they expect to be able to participate in events and meetings, meaning hybrid events are here to stay.
This post is part of the HopSkip Planner Spotlight Series where HopSkip spotlight's planners across the industry to bring awareness of how they adapted to COVID-19, communicating and lessons learned and sharing how they are viewing the meetings and events industry in a post-pandemic world.