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Covid Response - Events during the Delta Variant
Events during a global pandemic This past year and a half, the events industry has had to learn to adapt quickly. Shifting on the fly from fully in-person to full cancellations to hybrids to covid safe events has been a metamorphosis to behold. The change in dynamics within our company alone has been amazing to witness. And while we can all agree it has been one of the most challenging periods, the growth that we have seen - both personally and professionally - has been life and business-changing. We (My Big Day Marketing & Events) have learned a lot during the pandemic. We have discovered how to creatively manage and pivot live, in-person events, into exciting and engaging virtual and hybrid events. We have figured out ways to deliver points of connection for our communities and clients in covid-safe events when it hasn’t been safe to gather together. And while we are more than ready to be back together, celebrating weddings, anniversaries, business milestones, and community accomplishments live and in-person, we know that we can continue to do so in creative ways until it is safe to do so together in one place. Our Covid-Safe Practices Event planning begins months and sometimes over a year out. We have been living and workin moment by moment, day by day, following every recommendation and order by our counties, our state and the CDC. Our clients are counting on us to help them decide what events to keep and how to 'get creative.' We are making sure that we are keeping our clients and our employees safe by implementing and following all CDC recommended guidelines and best practices for events that take place in person. This means we are:
 How We Are Planning for the Fall and Beyond Typically during this time of year, our workload consists of venue tours and vendor meetings for the busy upcoming holiday party season. And while our calendars are still filling up with community events, non-profit fundraisers and weddings, many of these are hopeful events for later, reaching further into 2022. Unfortunately, we are feeling the effects of this latest surge in hospitalizations due to the Delta Covid Variant. With the new CDC recommendations that everyone - regardless of vaccination status wear masks indoors, businesses and corporations are rethinking their holiday parties and celebrations. Many are canceling. Our own MBD team is even considering hosting a virtual holiday party happy hour instead of gathering together, just to play it safe. Moving Forward As we move forward, we will continue to create events with multiple scenarios in mind. We aim to have a plan A, B, and sometimes a C in place -- just in case lockdowns, restrictions, and other regulations are put in place by the government and local agencies. Part of being an event planner means being prepared for anything and everything. This is the nature of the job. We must say, however, that it is getting somewhat tiresome, trying to keep up with all of the constant changes that this pandemic has thrust upon our society and industry as a whole. We have had to add the title of “community health expert” to our role, and that is a hefty expectation to fill. We are learning on the fly - and we’re just as scared and confused as the next person. That is why we rely on experts to lead and guide our decisions. We have learned a lot over the last year - a lot of new, exciting, and somewhat scary stuff. We hope that if we can continue to apply what we have learned, listen to each other, and follow guidelines with each other’s health and safety in mind - we’ll find that normal we are all so desperately wanting again.  Colorado is Back to School in person! After the 2020-2021 school year there have been a lot of questions about what the new “normal” will be this upcoming year for students. Many of your MBD team members are parents - and we all work with clients who serve and support children and students. Safety and health are very important to us. Below are a few things that the CDC has recommended to ensure the student and staff safety this 2021 school year.  Masks for ages 2+ if not vaccinated. KKTV 11 News wrote that the CDC guidelines say that “Consistent and correct mask use by people who are not fully vaccinated is especially important indoors and in crowded settings, when physical distancing cannot be maintained.” If vaccinated, schools are asking for proof and then a mask is not required.  Staff, Teachers and Students should stay home if they have any infectious disease. This rule refers to any infectious disease, not just COVID. Colds and flus are on the list for being a required reason to stay at home and they recommend going to see a physician as well. Teachers and staff will continue to have disinfect. Staff and teachers will be supplied with disinfecting spray, to clean high-touch areas regularly.  The circulation of outdoor air inside will continue to be increased. “Screening testing, ventilation, handwashing and respiratory etiquette, staying home when sick and getting tested, contact tracing in combination with quarantine and isolation, and cleaning and disinfection are also important layers of prevention to keep schools safe.”[1] [1] https://www.kktv.com/2021/07/21/colorado-health-officials-release-back-to-school-guidance-covid-19/ Schools will continue to “Encouraging frequent hand washing and providing access to hand sanitation stations.”[1] [1] https://www.dcsdk12.org/about/leadership/superintendent/looking_forward_back_to_school_2021-2022  Physical Distancing 3 feet or more. “CDC recommends schools maintain at least 3 feet of physical distance between students within classrooms, combined with indoor mask wearing by people who are not fully vaccinated, to reduce transmission risk. When it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of at least 3 feet, such as when schools cannot fully re-open while maintaining these distances, it is especially important to layer multiple other prevention strategies, such as indoor masking.”1 We must all work together to keep our schools safe! If we can all follow these guidelines we can prevent the spread of most illnesses throughout our schools and homes. Back to school is here and everyone is excited to return to the classrooms! Check out our Pinterest board for Back to School ideas and tips! https://www.pinterest.com/MyBigDayEvents/education-k-12/back-to-school-ideas/ https://www.denverpost.com/2021/07/20/colorado-school-guidance-covid-masks-vaccines-2021-school-year/ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/index.html  MBD Marketing & Events continues to support Partners and assist with marketing outreach of the No DUI Larimer Campaign. In recent months we have formed a partnership with the Thompson Valley EMS.  No DUI Larimer is pleased to announce our latest collaboration, this time with Thompson Valley Emergency Medical Services (TVEMS). The emergency medical personnel at TVEMS see firsthand the effects of impaired driving on Northern Colorado’s roadways.  Thompson Valley EMS was founded in 1983 and is Loveland’s leading provider of emergency medical services, EMS education, and EMS training. The organization’s 80 employees and 12 ambulances respond to over 15,000 TVEMS seeks to promote and facilitate the responsible provision of medical services within the Thompson Valley Health Services District. As part of its vision for compassionate care, TVEMS became a registered CARES program in 2017, providing community outreach and health education to people to prevent illness and injury. In the coming weeks, you can expect to see No DUI Larimer and Thompson Valley EMS promoting each other’s messaging as part of our community health education mission.  EMS Training through Thompson Valley Emergency Medical Services
Photo credit: Thompson Valley EMS Facebook At No DUI Larimer, we believe the issue of impaired driving is best addressed through community collaboration, and we are proud of our partnerships with the Colorado Department of Transportation and TVEMS, two organizations tasked with improving the safety of Colorado’s roads. Together, we can combat impaired driving in Northern Colorado. Follow Thompson Valley EMS and No DUI Larimer on Facebook for updates on our collaboration. Make the Call.
3. Order delivery or grab some takeout for a date night in Bring the restaurant date night to you. Order in delivery or takeout from your favorite romantic restaurant - even fancy steakhouses and seafood restaurants are offering takeout during the pandemic. If you want to go all out, recreate the restaurant atmosphere at home with tablecloths, your best plates and glassware, and some candles and flowers to set the mood. If you don’t live with your partner, you can still enjoy the meal together via video chat. You can even surprise your S.O. (significant other) with the romantic meal by ordering the food ahead of time to be delivered to them. Most restaurants with their own delivery system will offer this, as do Uber Eats’ share system and Grubhub. 4. Shop local gifts Show your partner and struggling local businesses some love this year by choosing unique gifts from a small shop in your area. If you’re worried about going inside, many small businesses are offering curbside pickup, and some have even set up online ordering with shipping. If you live in NoCo, check out MBD’s local-centric Valentine’s Day gifts Pinterest board: https://www.pinterest.com/MyBigDayEvents/valentines-day-gifts/ full of unique products from Loveland, Fort Collins, Windsor, and more.  5. Stream a virtual concert Virtual concerts are still happening - more than ever. If concerts are a favorite date night pastime for you, now you can recreate the music fan experience at home. You can now easily search Google for a list of upcoming virtual concerts. SongKick also has a great list you can bookmark: https://www.songkick.com/live-stream-concerts of live streaming concerts with times. Clear the living room for slow dancing (or a mosh pit, if that’s more your vibe), have an in-home concert “tailgate,” and have your favorite concert drinks on hand. 6. Make chocolate fondue Chocolate and romance go hand-in-hand, and nothing is more romantic than melted chocolate with fruit or sweets. You may not feel comfortable going to your favorite fondue restaurant this year, but you can bring the fondue experience home. You can buy a fondue pot online for as little as $15 these days, grab a box of strawberries, melt a bag of chocolate chips, and voilà.
8. Send Valentines through snail mail Maybe you’re in a long distance relationship, or maybe you just want to surprise your partner with a note or two left around the house. Either way, handwritten notes are a romantic tradition that go a long way in today’s world of text messages and Snapchats. Take your time writing (practice that cursive?) and, if you’re mailing your Valentine, use your nicest stationery or take some time to personalize what you have. Doodles or notes in the margins will make these keepsakes even more memorable, and you’ll love looking back on them together down the road.  9. Serve your loved one breakfast in bed Surprise breakfast in bed is basically never a bad idea, if you ask us. Sneak out of bed early to prepare your loved one’s favorite meal (pizza is fine for breakfast, by the way) and surprise them with it. Alternatively, cook breakfast together, then head back to bed to enjoy your culinary creations and spend the day being couch bed potatoes. 10. Connect virtually If you can’t be together this Valentine’s Day, carve out some time to connect virtually. Phone calls, video calls, and virtual activities like an online class or Netflix movie party are an easy way to show someone you’re thinking of them. Other ideas include eating a meal or sharing a glass of wine “together,” live streaming the same concert, or solving a virtual escape room.  11. Get outdoors together Coloradoans are known for our love of the outdoors, so take to one of your local trails or head up to the mountains with your partner for a romantic outing in nature. Hold hands, have intimate conversations, take in the scenery, practice teamwork, and boost your health all in one date.  Contact MBD Marketing & Events
Small Business. Big Impact. Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us We serve the entire Front Range; Denver, 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  The Family Center/La Familia is celebrating 25 years serving our community. We are hosting a 25 day scavenger hunt! Participate using an easy app you can use on your phone, tablet or computer. Solve clues at home, or venture out into the community! Anyone can participate. Great for families, creative dates, and social distancing fun! Participate at any time during the 25 days. Earn points – win prizes! $$$ The $20 registration is a donation to The Family Center/La Familia.
Date: October 1 - 25 Location: Online and around town Website: https://thefamilycenterfc.org/fiesta FAQs: Coming soon Prizes: 1st $200 Visa GC 2nd $100 Visa GC 3rd $50 Costco GC 4th $25 King Soopers GC 5th $25 King Soopers GC plus, all players are entered in a chance to win our Grand Prize!     
 Contact My Big Day Marketing & Events
Small Business. Big Impact. Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us We serve the entire Front Range; Denver, 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 Now that stay-at-home orders have been lifted, some venues are reopening for socially-distanced gatherings. The My Big Day team has put together a list of ten Colorado venues going above and beyond in COVID-19 safety to consider for your upcoming wedding, corporate or private holiday party, or company meeting. Drumroll please...  Where: DoubleTree by Hilton, Greeley at Lincoln Park Number of guests: Per Weld County regulations, DoubleTree is hosting events of up to 100 people in their over-12,000-square-foot ballroom. Precautions:
Contact: Lora Hassen, 303-941-4816 Website:https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/dengcdt-doubletree-greeley-at-lincoln-park/meetings-events/  Where: The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs and mountain properties Number of guests: Options are almost unlimited. The Broadmoor has a 5,000-acre property that includes indoor and outdoor spaces at their Colorado Springs location and at mountain wilderness retreats. Indoor spaces include 90 meeting rooms and a large, 125,000-square-foot Exhibit Center. The Broadmoor is also happy to cater to events as small as 40 guests. Precautions:
Contact: Submit proposal request here Website:https://www.broadmoor.com/meetings-events/meeting-at-the-broadmoor/?utm_source=destinationcolorado&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=meetings  Where: Block One, Old Town Fort Collins Number of guests: 50 attendees for public events or 95 attendees for Life-Rite gatherings (gatherings that bring members of a household or family together, such as funerals, memorials, or wedding ceremonies) in 4.102 square feet. “Attendees” includes, DJs, caterers, venue staff, etc. Precautions:
Contact: Leah Dunn, 970-420-3692, leah@encompass8.com Website http://www.rentblockone.com/events  Where: The Lincoln Center, Fort Collins Number of guests: Up to 50 people for private events Precautions:
Contact: Event booking, 970-221-6733 Website https://www.lctix.com/rent-our-spaces  Where: The Cleveland Room at desk chair, Loveland Number of guests: Up to 50 Precautions: · Guests must sign in upon entry for potential contact tracing · Masks must be worn when entering or exiting the event space · Indoor and outdoor capacity will be limited to 40% to allow for social distancing · Sanitation stations throughout event space · Staff will wear masks when interacting with guests and serving food or drink Contact: 970-462-9464 Website https://www.theclevelandroom.com  Where: The Elizabeth Hotel, Fort Collins Number of guests: Contact for more information Precautions:
Website https://www.theelizabethcolorado.com/meetings-events  Where: Embassy Suites, Loveland Number of guests: Contact for more information; largest available single space is the 28,800-square-foot Front Range Ballroom Precautions:
Contact: 970-593-6200 Website https://embassysuites3.hilton.com/en/hotels/colorado/embassy-suites-by-hilton-loveland-hotel-conference-center-and-spa-FNLESES/event/index.html  Where: Edwards House, Fort Collins Number of guests: Up to 30 for meetings, up to 50 for weddings Precautions:
Website https://edwardshouse.com/conferences-and-events  Where: The Curtis, downtown Denver Number of guests: Currently offering steeply discounted meeting and event prices for 20 or fewer guests; click here to view the “Mini-Mony” wedding package starting at $1500 for 20 attendees. Contact for info about larger events. Precautions:
Website https://www.thecurtis.com/events/meetings-events-offers/   Where: The Candlelight Dinner Theater Playhouse Number of guests: Social distancing at it's finest! Guest count varies depending on event space. There are a number of available event spaces for rent/private parties. Precautions:
Contact: Allison Clark(970) 744-3748 or allison@coloradocandlelight.com Website: http://www.coloradocandlelight.com/  Contact My Big Day Marketing & Events Small Business. Big Impact. Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us We serve the entire Front Range; Denver, 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  Keep it small. Obviously, large gatherings are off the table right now. But birthdays can be just as special with immediate family members. Research shows kids find these birthdays just as meaningful and memorable as a big, expensive party. Create anticipation. Build up to the big day - present your child with seven envelopes, each containing a small privilege (15 minutes of extra screen time, 30 min. later bedtime, etc.) He can open one each day in the week leading up to his birthday. Celebrate the night before, too. This is a great way to help your child reflect on and feel proud of another year of life, minus the distraction of presents. Take this time to give them some special attention instead of material things. Surprise decorating. Decorate with balloons, streamers, and signs while your little one is sleeping. It will be a fun surprise and a great photo op in the morning! Entertainment via Zoom. Parents can book a virtual professional magic show or a video chat with Elsa. Check out Send In the Clowns .  Go for a birthday cruise. Deck out your family car with decorations and special messages written on the windows and drive around town! Your child is sure to get lots of honks and happy birthdays from passerby. Go on an outdoor scavenger hunt. Divide into teams with one adult and one or more kids each, and set out with a list of items and some phones or digital cameras. Have each team snap photos of a purple flower, someone with a stroller, a house number with the birthday child’s age. Give them a “Yes Day.” Let the birthday child choose all the day’s meals and activities (within reason of course). Let them create their own cake. The birthday child chooses the cake flavor, fillings or frosting, and decorations. It will be all the more special because it was their creation. Big-kid smash cake. If you don’t mind some clean-up, put a twist on the traditional toddler smash cake and let the entire family eat cake sans utensils. Laughs guaranteed!  Contact My Big Day Marketing & Events Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us 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  With COVID-19 numbers increasing in parts of the country, many of us with kids (My Big Day and “Loveland Drive-In” employees included) are wondering what we can do to keep our families entertained outside of the house and how safe those activities really are. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has updated information about the risk level of various activities. We are pleased that drive-in shows continue to be listed as one of the safest activities for families this summer. See our COVID-19 risk assessment for family activities list below!  High-Risk Activities (from “Covid 19 Risk Calculator,” ABC News, updated June 19, 2020)
 Medium-Risk Activities
 Low-Risk Activities
The Loveland Drive-In abides by the CDC’s advice on their latest “Deciding to Go Out” information page (updated June 15, 2020):
There’s still time to join us for some low-risk family fun this summer! Tickets available HERE!   Summer is here and now, so is the Loveland Drive In Movie Theater! This pop-up, family-friendly entertainment venue was born out of our (My Big Day’s) response to the Coronavirus. We wanted to build a safe entertainment option for families to take advantage of during our safer-at-home orders, while at the same time, support a deserving non-profit and local businesses that were impacted by all of the coronavirus closures. The pop-up Drive In fundraiser achieves both of these goals! We are so excited about this summer opportunity, and we know you are too. We’ve come up with a few ideas to make your family’s trip to our Drive In safe, successful, and fun! First off – planning ahead will ensure that your family has fun. Because we are operating during a time of social distancing, pre-planning and organization MUST include thoughts of safety. Our safety guidelines are spelled out on our website here within our Code of Conduct: https://www.lovelanddrivein.com/code-of-conduct.html Please make sure you read through this before your show.  Tips for more fun at the Drive-In Movies! Here are a few more tips that we have compiled to help ensure that you and your family are comfortable and have as much fun as possible. 1. Arrive early to grab the “perfect” spot. Our team will be helping to direct traffic to their assigned spots. Arriving early will ensure that you won’t be stuck in a long line of cars, and you’ll be placed closer to the big screen. The Loveland Drive In will allow entry 45 minutes before the movie call time. MBD Pro-Tip: Most Drive-Ins are requiring that you purchase your tickets online in advance. This is our policy, and it helps us restrict capacity to provide for safe social distance between cars. 2. Consider bringing your own portable radio and extra batteries. We are encouraging attendees to turn their cars off during the movie – for environmental and safety reasons. While you can broadcast your sound through your car’s radio, you can avoid the possibility of running down your car’s battery by using a portable radio that runs on batteries. This will be an ever better alternative if you should choose to set up chairs in your pick-up bed or in front of your vehicle. 3. Bring body essentials. Don’t forget to pack the bug spray, sunscreen, and plenty of water. Our experience is different because we can show movies during the day. However, due to the nature of this activity – you will be out, exposed in the sun. Don’t forget to lather up with the sunscreen so you don’t leave with a nasty burn! 4. Satisfy your hunger! We encourage you to bring money and have your phone ready so that you can order some tasty treats from our food and beverage vendors on site. Some proceeds from food sales will also be benefiting our non-profit, Thompson Education Foundation. You may also bring food with you. Please make sure that you follow our food/beverage guidelines if you choose to bring your own treats. MBD Pro Tip: Check out our vendor partners listed for each showing. They will have links that you can use to order food online. Review their menus before you arrive so you can plan ahead. 5. Wear appropriate and comfy clothes. There will be limited shade, and you will be sitting in a parking lot for the duration of the movie. Make sure you are wearing comfortable, seasonally appropriate clothing. Also – don’t forget, even summer evenings can get chilly in Colordao! If you are attending the late show, you might want to pack a jacket or some blankets. 6. Comfortable seating options. We know some of you will watch the movies from the comfort of your car, but we also encourage you to pack camping chairs, mats, pillows, and blankets. 7. Have a bathroom plan. There will be bathroom facilities available on site. However, we also know that some may not be comfortable using public restrooms at this time. Planning ahead, and trying to go before you arrive can lessen your chances of having to use the public restroom during the event. We want to assure all participants that the public facilities will be routinely cleaned throughout the day. Packing extra hand sanitizer and wipes aren’t a bad idea either. 8. Relax and have fun! We are so excited to bring this fun event to all Northern Colorado families! This event is designed to encourage fun and bonding for families. Relax, enjoy, and have fun at the movies!  Health & Safety Reminders My Big Day wants this to be a fun and memorable event for you and your family, and therefore, your safety is of utmost importance to us. The Loveland Drive-In was built around all state and local guidelines regarding COVID-19. While we are keeping up to date on all law changes and how they affect events, we kindly ask that you follow all guidelines and event rules, so that everyone can have a healthy, safe, and enjoyable time. If you are unsure of the local health and safety guidelines, please visit: https://www.larimer.org/health/communicable-disease/coronavirus-covid-19  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 Email Us 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  The NoCo Easter Keg Hunt has an official date! Saturday, July 25th We have been waiting patiently for the right time, and have been working on COVID-19 friendly changes for all of our guests! More to come!  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 Email Us 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 |
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My Big Day Company LLC 2021 www.MyBigDayCompany.com
970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 EMAIL US
We serve the entire Front Range; Denver, 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
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