Interviews

Planners Moving Forward Series- Jerry Ockfen, Fred Hutch

Jerry Ockfen, of Fred Hutch, brings 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.

Luke Whalin
Apr 18, 2022
Interviews

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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: Jerry Ockfen

Company Name: Fred Hutch

Job Title: Travel & Events Manager

Years of Experience: 15

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'm ready with the knowledge and tools needed to host my first in-person/hybrid conference in May. 
 
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 believe hybrid meetings give our attendees the option that suits their level of comfort and/or schedule. However, I personally prefer to attend meetings in-person and believe there is often greater benefit to those attendees. 
 
In your opinion, what do you think the biggest value for your attendees is in regards to returning to live events?
 
Networking and taking care of other business with colleagues over breaks and meal times. 
 
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?
 
Partnership and empathy
 

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. 

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