Partnering in crisis

The Bologna Convention Bureau, a long-term destination partner of Kenes, helped Kenes Group prepare all the onsite logistics for CHEST (American College of Chest Physicians) Congress 2020 Italy prior to the pandemic. However, February 2020 saw a worsening local situation in Italy, followed by worldwide lockdowns, as a result of which the event had to be called off. This was the time when all partners came together to find the best solution for CHEST.

The situation with the CHEST Congress showed how consistency in working together over many years actually creates one team, striving to achieve a common goal.

The process began with open communication and complete trust. All partners, when it came to the decision of postponing the event, showed a great deal of flexibility and worked hard to find new opportunities for everyone involved. With full transparency and placing the event goals at the centre of all efforts, the task proved to be a smooth one with total collaboration – truly successful.

While the situation around the CHEST Congress scheduled for June 2020 mobilised all partners, it was in fact their joint long-term vision and fruitful collaboration that proved the solution. Each partner aimed to bring value to the client and the event; everyone played a different role in this puzzle. But long-term collaborations are not built to benefit just one event in a single year, but rather to create a multitude of successful future events in the years to come.

A highly successful CHEST virtual congress, in partnership with the Italian delegation, was held in June 2020, highlighting the connection with Italy to 3150 participants. While we cannot say with certainty when the event will again take its physical shape, Bologna Congressi applied special flexible clauses to the contracts, helping Kenes Group to manage the risk.

Both the city of Bologna and Bologna Congressi used the long months under lockdown to develop effective safety measures, in line with Kenes Group recommendations, for the return of in-person events by implementing the following activities:

• Creating a catalogue: “Bologna, Safe City for Events” with detailed practical information for event planners on how to host safe events.

• A venue redesign with new tailor-made solutions on offer for optimal in-person meetings, such as: • Rooms equipped with new audio/video technology, including the latest generation streaming service • New and larger entrance foyer • New exhibition hall of over 3000 sq.m. connected to the

Palazzo dei Congressi and the Ex-Gam • Easily accessible information protocol on all prevention measures

• New services offered by other suppliers in the city included: • highly trained personnel on the operation of the new event formats: in-person and online • reinventing the delivery of catering services following the latest food guidelines • transportation services with high hygiene protocols • solutions for physical distancing – signs, materials, and more