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: Andy Longo
Company Name: Delta Tau Delta Fraternity
Job Title: Vice President of Education and Programming
Years of Experience: 24
How were you able to adapt during COVID-19 when the meeting and events industry got disrupted?
We offered offerings via video presentations - small educational opportunities for our members. We housed these on our website and promoted to our membership. When we cancelled our winter 2021 regional meetings, we offered an hour-long, pre-recorded, awards "show" and a large, organization wide, DEI program. The organization also provided resources and support for chapter recruitment, programming and COVID controls.
As a planner, what was the number one thing you learned over the past year?
We must take care of ourselves. If we are drained, stressed, frustrated, hurting...that will manifest itself in our meetings and our ability to work with our staff and our partners. Take a breath....take your time....take time for yourself and do what you can do....don't overpromise and let folks know how you are doing.
Is there anything you are changing in your planning process moving forward as a result of the pandemic?
More focus on safety protocols. Also more emphasis on the needs of our attendees. We always consider our audience when planning there is just more focus on providing programming and experiences meeting students/and other attendees where they are and how they show up.
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.