Continuing Conversations to Inspire
Forward Motion
by Sharon DeFelices, CMP
I don’t know about you, but I feel like we slid on the Candy Land board from 4th of July to today! All of sudden, we’re talking about the holidays. Well…. the holidays as they relate to safe gathering practices. Some states are seeing spikes in case numbers and some are relaxing their gathering guidelines, but no matter where you are, the holidays are coming. We’ve all seen that corporate meetings are starting to happen and that recent surveys are showing that 2021 contracts are being signed. Safety practices and protocols are really coming into focus across the country and we’re getting better at hosting groups every day. I’ve been having conversations with clients and other planners about end of year and holiday parties. And I’ve been talking with hotels about the creative ideas that they have for keeping guests safe while celebrating. How fun is this idea? Contract for a few event spaces in a hotel, each with a different theme for décor, food and music. Each room would only be accessible to a small number of guests, based on Hot cocoa party that state’s mandate, with a staff person stationed at the door to ensure that the room does not become overcrowded. The group could cycle through each holiday “experience” in each room as the night wears on. It’s a great way to gather a larger group, but keep within the region’s mandates. And who wouldn’t love to enjoy food and fun in a space that is decorated and themed around holiday movies? Or a room decorated for Holiday Carol-oke, complete with karaoke machine? Some companies are looking for family-friendly options; ways to thank their employees and their families. Drive-through light shows with a hot cocoa and s’mores outdoor party, a local farm with holiday hayrides or your local zoo all are viable outdoor solutions for daytime or nighttime events. It’s refreshing to think that the end of year party is being seen through such a creative lens. Recently, I was introduced to the SRV, or show-ready-vehicle (www.showreadyvehicles.com). This Transformers-style vehicle is the brainchild of Turtle Transit and APA Music + Pictures, built as a creative solution to requests for outdoor music and entertainment this past summer and used at drive-in style concerts. While it is a wonderful solution for concerts and drive-in movies, it can be utilized for so much more. The SRV comes equipped with 24-foot stage, lights, rigging and an 8-foot by
50 Novemberz December2020