KEN KELK CERP, CEO, CHOICE PARTY LINENS, INC. “For businesses to get back on track, we need more cooperation from state and local governments. When the pandemic hit us in March, the restaurant and event industry spent a lot of time and money to show the state of Pennsylvania regulators their plan to hold events safely, and the state of Pennsylvania ignored those efforts and shut everything down. Other states, like Ohio, Indiana and Maryland, worked with the industry and continue to do so now. Shutting everything down does not mean people will stop gathering. People will still gather on their own and they will not be as safe as they would be in a restaurant or event space that is regulated by the state to uphold COVID-19 safety measures.”
KIM RUBY CMM, FINANCIAL AND INSURANCE CONFERENCE PROFESSIONAL, MARKETING AND EVENTS, CANADA LIFE REINSURANCE
BRIAN LANG AREA DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING FOR HYATT CENTRIC, PHILADELPHIA, PA “It definitely looks like we are about to turn a corner and the event industry will have a meaningful recovery in 2021. We’re finally starting to hear some good news and it is clear from our partners and clients that people are longing to be together again. Once regulations are lifted, there will be pent up demand, but it will be limited in size and scope until we can gain back consumer confidence.” “To get back on track, the Hyatt Centric will work closely with meeting and event planners to ensure that we’re meeting their needs and the expectations of their attendees and that our hotel surpasses industry safety standards. As a brand-new hotel, we have the technology to provide contact-less meetings using built-in audio-visual, microphones, smart TVs and food service that can all be controlled by phone. We have built-in induction counters and in-room refrigerators enabling contact-less food service, as well. And planners can rest assured that their attendees are protected by the Hyatt’s Global Care and Cleanliness Commitment, which Forbes magazine called the best in the hotel industry. “We’re called the hospitality industry for a reason. And now we’ll have a chance to show what that truly means. We’ll have to roll out the red carpet and show our flexibility like never before - whether it’s making bigger spaces available to allow for increased capacity, or resting meeting rooms between events. We’ll do what it takes for our clients and their attendees to feel safe and return to in-person events with confidence.” 32 Januaryz February2021
“There is no ‘on track’ at this point. It is massive scramble, reinvention and realignment. The way we will begin to do this is to be a leader in touting the science of gatherings, to get the best information about the science of pandemics, and to promote how we will serve the needs of our clients – external and internal.” “Science of gathering: why is this important to the human brain and human psyche? How can this best be accomplished? This is going to take a lot more than patience for the economy to recover, as we did in 2009. This will take more than a campaign of ‘this is a great place to be’ or… splashy images.” “Science of pandemics: this is not a political issue, despite the current flavor of our national politics. Let’s be leaders in promoting the best information. We also have to be willing to accept where it may impact our bottom line negatively or we lose credibility. We may have to invest in medical personnel or some other ways to keep our people healthy. We may have to consider new impact on liability. Let’s lead in this. Let’s be the best investors in information and not just reactors to edicts.” “We know the value of what we do, and what we provide. It’s time to move to another level – just as we always have done. I’ve done it; you’ve done it. Let’s support each other with encouragement, ideas, and science.”
