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: Martisha LaCroix
Company Name: The LaCroix Agency
Job Title: Event & Talent Manager
Years of Experience: 10
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?
Absolutely, I think the pandemic gave you meeting/events an opportunity to become innovative and give clients options they would have not thought about when hosting a meeting. Planners don't have to sell innovation as hard as we would have in the past. The client has a goal and many are open to ways of getting there. I also believe as a planner we were able to catch up, do some continuing education, and focus our businesses.
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 think the biggest thing we are doing more of incorporating the virtual component. Some people are just not going to come back to in-person meetings or they are going to need more time. By tapping into the virtual component we are able to bring in the audience for the experience. We are also able to provide the virtual experience based on the client's budget.
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 think hybrid meetings are a great idea. For the client, this can affect their budget in a great way because you may not need much meeting space. For the attendee, they are able to attend events on their terms.
In your opinion, what do you think the biggest value for your attendees is in regards to returning to live events?
I think the biggest value is the ability for attendees to bring their families. The family may not attend the event, but they are able to come and enjoy the property and the area. Some are incorporating vacations as part of their travel so they are able to work and spend family time. If the event can provide information, discount tickets, or transportation to the area attractions many will be more apt to attend.
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?
I would hope for a better relationship and more grace. We understand this is business. As a planner, we are at the call of the client and things change from day to day. We may have signed those contracts in good faith the something happens out of our control.
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.