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: Dana Jonston
Company Name: Infectious Diseases Society of America
Job Title: Senior Manager, Convention Operations and Meetings
Years of Experience: 11
How do you think you are positioned, after months of persevering with the pandemic, to take advantage of our new and disrupted meetings/events landscape?
I have learned that nothing in life is constant. Change and progress are necessary for success in all endeavors, especially meetings and events. The pandemic has awakened an eager desire inside of me to stay ahead of the curve in trends and practices that will keep my skills and the events I plan evolving toward excellence.
As our community moves forward with planning in-person meetings, what new technologies or processes are you implementing that you may have not looked at before?
I am evaluating the best ways to incorporate a hybrid audience into the live events. Are they two events happening simultaneously or one integrated experience with two delivery mechanisms? There will always be attendees who cannot attend a live event and want to benefit from the social connection and learning that will take place. Expanding our team to facilitate those dual experiences while continuing to build relationships with technology partners are keys to that successful event design.
As we see virtual meetings transition back to face to face, hybrid meetings are beginning to be the vehicle to return to normalcy. What are your thoughts on hybrid meetings versus traditional fully in-person meetings?
I feel fortunate to be a part of a team that was offering live streaming prior to the pandemic for our virtual audience. That component has moved from only a handful of sessions to the entire event being live streaming in 2022. It is exciting to see how hybrid events will continue to evolve to serve those who are unable or unwilling to travel.
In your opinion, what do you think the biggest value for your attendees is in regards to returning to live events?
For our attendees and myself the biggest benefit of live events include meeting industry leaders face to face, networking, and growing our social connections. Yet, that is terrifying for someone with social anxiety and a virtual option satisfies their need to remain anonymous and safe.Other benefits of live meetings include dedicated time away from work and home obligations that allow attendees to learn skills that will help them in their professional development. Event planners should realize not every life stage is compatible with attending live events.
As the pandemic fades away and we return to face-to-face events what do you hope changes, either for planners or hoteliers, in the traditional RFP and proposal process as a result of all of the learnings from the last 20+ months?
As someone who has struggled with her own mental health. I joined a group of like minding event professionals on LinkedIn, Event Minds Matter (https://www.linkedin.com/company/event-minds-matter/) Post pandemic, I hope the industry will look at the number of hours it takes to be successful. Explore the benefits of a healthier work/life balance, and appropriately staff teams to meet the rising demands of organizing hybrid events. Inside the meetings and events industry and reaching out to the clients we serve, wellness begins with how we treat ourselves and our teams. Grueling hours that make self-care impossible need to become ancient history.
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.