My Big Day Events Blog: Weddings, Events, Deals, Ideas, Planning, Colorado in the Know!

Events During The Time of COVID-19

4/24/2020

Covid-19 has touched and affected everyone. It has upended our daily lives and routines. It has separated us from people we love. It has forced our places of employment to completely change their systems and procedures – some even closing for good. It has minimized some of our favorite hobbies and pastimes, and the places in which we used to seek entertainment will be forever changed.

This past month, our team has worked with a variety of clients – from large corporations, to nonprofits, to our wedding couples, and our loyal party people. We have worked hard developing Plan B’s, C’s, and in some cases Plan D’s for their previously scheduled events. From the beginning of this outbreak, My Big Day has made it their mission to support our clients – big and small – in the best ways we know possible.

It has been frustrating to see pictures of last year’s Easter Keg Hunt come across our Facebook memories, knowing that there is a possibility that we won’t get to gather for this ultra-fun event this year. We’ve raced to completely change course with two of our large non-profit’s yearly fundraisers, moving everything online. And, we’ve conversed with our summer wedding couples, trying to help them make the heart breaking decision on whether or not to cancel or postpone their planned weddings. It has not been easy or fun.

The event industry in which we work, remains one of the hardest hit by the Coronavirus outbreak. Around mid-March, everything came to a screeching halt, and a lot of uncertainty still remains – about postponed events, and the future of corporate meetings and gatherings. Events are one of the few proven vehicles for spreading the virus. Therefore, we as event planners, have had to weigh the experiences gained from the event, with the health of our clients and coworkers.

We’ve seen the articles suggesting suspending all live in person events until the summer of 2021. And while this is a disappointing prediction, we know that the health and safety of our family, friends, coworkers, and clients are of utmost importance. Many event resources have published a graphic similar to this, reflecting this scenario:

So what does this mean for you if you are planning an event, wedding, or have been looking forward to getting back to “normal”?

Well, for starters, some meetings and events won’t take place. Some will happen over this summer and into the fall. We will be analyzing each event that we are planning. We will ask these questions: what are the conditions needed for our events to happen? What type of event is it? and What will the final event look like?

In order to answer these questions, we will have to look at where we are as a country, and what stage we are in as we fight this virus. Have we flattened the curve enough? Can our event be adapted to include strict social distancing guidelines once shelter in place orders have been lifted? What kind of sanitation and disinfection can we incorporate into our planning to help minimize infection?

Some of our answers will include completely changing the logistics of an event. Corporate and Non-Profit fundraisers might have a larger online presence. Our Easter Keg Hunt – probably just called Keg Hunt, might include more outside stops and challenges. Our brides and grooms may be making changes to their guest lists, and they may be considering holding small ceremonies with plans for a larger celebratory party later down the road.

In all our events, we will be taking event insurance negotiations; social distancing – including room layouts, food service (no more buffets), event activities, and travel; sanitation and disinfection into our planning process. We may even start incorporating innovative options such as thermal scanning for the virus, and having processes in place should someone attending start showing symptoms during our event.

Bottom line is – the new normal for events after this virus peaks will remain a challenge. There are so many moving parts and standards that will have to be put into place before any of our events can happen. For starters, the size of our events will have to be minimized to know more than 50 attendees. Our venues will have to have policies, guidelines, and processes in place for social distancing and sanitizing rules.

We know that all of this is scary – for us and for our clients. We also know that some of our clients will be leery of even planning events for the foreseeable future. We won’t be going into any event blind. You can be sure that our team will do due diligence. We will become the experts so that your mind and heart can be at ease.

Someday, hopefully in the near future, we will all get to celebrate the end to this intense anxiousness. When that day comes, you can be sure that the My Big Day team will have a celebration to remember planned.

Contact My Big Day

"Dream Big, Live Big. For Life's Events!"
Original Ideas, superior strategies, your own private party planner.

~Event Planning, Coordination & Management~

My Big Day llc

Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068
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Located in Loveland, CO

As event planners, we serve the entire Front Range; Southern Wyoming, the CO Mountains, and Northern Colorado: Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, Estes Park, Lyons, Longmont, Boulder, Wellington, Johnstown, Evans, Severance, Timnath, Mead, Frederick, Firestone, Milliken

Coronavirus and Large Events - What Should I Do?

3/11/2020

My Big Day is no stranger to managing event emergencies, but this is a first!
COVID-19 is wiping out events large and small across the nation - and beyond.

As event planners, we feel that it is our responsibility to be on top of all potential event roadblocks, including Plan A, Plan B and Plan C for unbelievable things such as the Coronavirus.

For those responsible for putting on events that bring crowds of people together, the World Health Organization has published some key planning recommendations ....

Specific features of the event that should be considered include:

crowd density;
the nature of contact between participants (for example, a concert or religious event, indoors or outdoors, the layout of the venue);
whether the event will be attended by registered and non-registered participants;
the profession of the participants and their possible previous exposure;
the number of participants coming from countries or areas affected by the COVID-19 outbreak within 14 days prior to the event;
the age of participants; because elderly people who have co-morbid conditions appear to be more seriously affected, mass gatherings composed principally of this cohort may be associated with increased transmission;
the type or purpose of event (for example, sporting, festival, religious, political, cultural);
the duration and mode of travel of participants; if the duration of the mass gathering is longer than the incubation period for COVID-19 infection (14 days), then most event-associated cases would be expected to occur while the event is under way. In contrast, if the duration is shorter, most cases would likely occur after the event as people travel and return to their home communities.

Coming up with an action plan for any event is absolutely necessary.
Clear messaging is also a must.

As an event participant, what can you do?

Wash your hands frequently. Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.

Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.

Maintain social distancing. Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.

Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.

Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.
Practice respiratory hygiene.

Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.

If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early. Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.

Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.

Stay informed and follow advice given by your healthcare provider. Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19. Follow advice given by your healthcare provider, your national and local public health authority or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on whether COVID-19 is spreading in your area. They are best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves.

Be Smart
Be Careful
Be Considerate of Others
Put Your Health First.

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Events During The Time of COVID-19

Coronavirus and Large Events - What Should I Do?

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