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: Christina Pino, CMP, DES
Company Name: Stellato Meeting Solutions, LLC
Job Title: Conference Logistics and Design Manager
Years of Experience: 8
How were you able to adapt during COVID-19 when the meeting and events industry got disrupted?
We were immediately disrupted when COVID-19 hit hard in March 2020 and made the decision to cancel our March conference. It was a devastating decision to have to do so and not see our work through. But we were able to then take the time to learn how to connect digitally to the like-minded people we planned to bring together. Our team split up to tackle the "next normal" that was coming in fast. The President of our company focused on risk management and I was tasked with taking in any new education that was available in order to quickly learn how to transform an in-person experience to a digital one. We were both able to secure our DES certification. Our top priorities were to execute the remaining conferences we had in place for the year and to avoid financial risk to the association's we were supporting. While the pandemic is not over, I can confidently say that the strategy to divide and conquer was successful and we were able to provide our clients with the best experience.
As a planner, what was the number one thing you learned over the past year?
If I had to choose one thing it would have to be learning how important the hospitality community and my relationships with those I work with were to me. It was devastating to have to let our supporting partners know that we were canceling and to even see some of them be furloughed or lose business. I also recognized the energy that comes from being face-to-face. It became clear to me, and fast, that working together was what got me through my days. I learn so much from them every day and because of them, I was awarded as one of PCMA's 20 In Their Twenties class members.
Is there anything you are changing in your planning process moving forward as a result of the pandemic?
While I have always focused on the attendee experience, I've realized that I was only taking a birds eye view. Due to the pandemic, I was driven to search for what people as individuals need down to how close their chair will be to someone. Normally, we'd consider maxing out a room so we could accommodate as many people as possible, which pleased people so they could get to the session they wanted. Now, I think about whether someone will want to come into a room depending on how close the chairs are. We also were spoiled with flexibility that came from working from home. So, I am now taking a hard look at the flow of the conference schedule considering that attendees may want time to themselves or to walk around. There is a new dynamic and I think it is for the better of the attendee's wellness.
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.
