Over the last couple of years, Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on businesses around the world. Not only has the world of business been forced to undertake changes to its work force and the way it operates online and offline, but it has been imperative for owners to find cheaper ways to sustain their businesses during difficult times. Now that Omicron has arrived, you may feel nervous about holding events in public for fellow business people. But don’t worry, you don’t have to go out if you don’t want to. There are other ways for you to make business connections whilst maintaining your own safety.
Consider the risks
The first thing you need to do is consider the risks of holding an event in person. Think about your guests and whether (or not) any of them could be classified as vulnerable people. You may also want to have a look at the statistics of Omicron in your city. If there is a spike of the disease, it may not be worth holding an event in person. You may also want to consider how far away the guests are in relation to your conference. If they are further away, this could put them more at risk of catching the disease on the commute. Once you have considered these risks, then you can decide on whether or not you truly want to host.
The online alternative
If you are worried about Omicron, and you think the risks are too great, it’s time for you to think of an alternative option. You may want to move the meeting online or turn it into a webinar. That way you do not have to meet people in person and can have them turn up in a meeting room online. You can still invite guest speakers to join you online and can even encourage people to share their opinions through a LiveChat or polls. You may attract more people to join an online meeting, especially if they live further away. This means you will be expanding your audience/client-base in the process. Make sure to advertise your webinar on social media and through business newsletters.
Strict testing regulations
Should you decide to go ahead with your event, it’s important that you do whatever you can to keep safe. This includes strict testing measures put into place before or on the day of the event. Although it may seem harsh, you may want to limit your event to people who have been vaccinated, have a Covid-19 domestic passport or have a negative lateral flow test on the day. That way you can limit the spread of Omicron and prove that you were doing all you could to try and keep people safe. You may also want to enforce the use of masks in indoor conference rooms and venues. Consider encouraging people only to not use masks if they are in a restaurant environment at a table or if they go outside. The more safety measures the better!
So, if Omicron is giving you second thoughts about holding an event in person, follow this guide to ensure you make the safest decision for your business.
