Meetings and events reinvented for a new era

 

What does the future hold for meetings ?, will we ever be able to look another human being in the face again, or will it always be just another bloomin zoom call !

The hotels are certainly keen to get us all back as soon as possible and are going all out to make it as safe as possible, although it will look a lot different to how it looked before the pandemic.

Here’s a roundup of the programmes in place from the major hotel chains to keep delegates safe – from hybrid events, which combine in-person attendance and virtual participation, to the necessary safety measures such as temperature checks and testing procedures.

 

Accor

Last year Accor introduced its All Meet Well initiative at 135 hotels in its brand portfolio in Northern Europe. The meetings and events are run according to the group’s Allsafe cleanliness programme, with features including:

• Daily cleaning during evenings and lunch breaks, including disinfecting light switches, door handles, chairs, tables, hangers and consoles

 

• Vacuum cleaners equipped with HEPA filters

 

• Cleaning checklists for event organisers prior to meetings taking place

In April 2021, the group will launch ‘All Connect’, a new hybrid meetings concept powered by Microsoft Teams technology. The initiative will allow corporate customers and meeting planners around the world to combine “physical in-hotel meetings with virtual interactions across multiple locations”. The concept focuses primarily on smaller meetings of eight to 50 participants, and meetings will take place on the Microsoft Teams platform.

Hilton

The group has extended its cleaning protocols to event experiences, calling it Hilton Eventready with Cleanstay. The key features include:

• Room seals, sanitising stations and a room checklist

 

• Flexible pricing, space options and contract terms

 

• Simplified agreements for small meetings

 

• A playbook offering guidance and resources to plan meetings

 

• Physical distancing meal service

 

• Dedicated team members to provide assistance to event planners

 

The group also recently introduced a set of solutions to help event planners organise hybrid meetings at participating hotels around the world. The “hybrid ready” hotels include seamless

connectivity, a playbook offering advice on planning this kind of event, and expertise from dedicated team members.

Select hotels will also have Presentation Stages: pre-built stages which are equipped with broadcast technology and staging equipment to record and/or broadcast a high-quality online event. This currently only applies to Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach, Hilton Atlanta, Hilton Anatole, Hilton Denver, and The Beverly Hilton, but is set to be rolled out across Europe, Middle East and Africa by the end of the year. Properties equipped with such event technology will accommodate between two to six onsite presenters and up to 50 in-person attendees.

 

 

Hyatt

 

Hyatt is allowing meetings to simultaneously take place across various properties in Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East through a hybrid format. Content can be broadcast to meeting rooms across multiple hotels, allowing attendees around the world to safely connect and engage.

Each location can house 15 attendees, and features include wireless internet, a dynamic device with multiple built-in cameras and microphones, a video monitor, and two flipcharts.

The meetings and events abide by Hyatt’s Global Care and Cleanliness Commitment, with features including:

 

• Sanitisation of meeting rooms before and after use

 

• Hand sanitiser stations and ‘care stations’ with PPE

 

• Signage to remind guests of social distancing

 

• Increased usage of linen-less tables where possible

 

• Sanitisation and disinfection of AV equipment between uses

 

• Pre-packaged food items, and buffets with plexiglass coverings and staff to serve hot dishes

IHG Hotels and Resorts

The hotel group is applying its Way of Clean programme to its meetings and events offerings. Key features include:

• Deep and more frequent cleaning of meeting and event spaces

 

• Ample hand sanitiser stations

 

• Socially-distanced seating and adjusted room layouts

 

• Guidance on management of guest flow

 

• Single-serve and pre-packaged meal options

 

 

 

 

 

Marriott

Marriott launched a ‘Connect with Confidence’ programme last year, which includes enhanced sanitation guidelines, new operational training for associates, and increased use of conference technologies. Hotel teams will consult with clients to review new practices including:

• More frequent cleaning in high traffic areas and during breaks

 

• Hand sanitiser stations

 

• Social distancing of attendees

 

• Contactless registration

 

• Touchless payment options via Marriott’s Meeting Services app

 

• Removal of non-essential items such as linens, pre-set plates and glassware

 

• Pre-packaged, grab-and-go or plated meals, and modified buffets

 

• Sanitised AV equipment

 

• Live streaming support to facilitate hybrid meetings with virtual attendees

The Marriott Bonvoy Events team has also created a series of physically distant floor plans to help event planners visualise room configurations.

As part of the group’s ‘Connect with Confidence’ programme, Marriott is also offering Covid-19 tests to meetings customers at selected properties in the US. This can either be self-administered by the guest prior to travel, or done by a third-party testing provider on site at the hotel.

Additionally, there will be daily and/or pre-arrival health screening questions via a dedicated mobile app, and daily temperature checks to enter the event area. The initiative is currently active at Marriott’s Gaylord Hotels in Florida, Tennessee, Texas and Colorado, with plans to roll it out to certain other Marriott branded hotels in the US.

Radisson Hotel Group

The group has partnered with certification company SGS to create a ten-step protocol for meetings and events spaces in its worldwide locations. Guests will have their personal belongings safely handled in designated areas, while stationary items will be placed in a “disinfect box” after events. Further features include:

• Sanitising stations

 

• Increased cleaning and disinfection

 

• Improved air circulation processes

 

• Door hangings detailing the cleaning and disinfection information

 

• Frequent cleaning and disinfection of coffee machines

A hotel event manager will also be on hand to assist with requests via a device. The protocols are adapted to local requirements and recommendations based on the location of the hotel.

 

Wyndham Hotel Group

To protect planners and attendees, the group has implemented social distancing measures and reconfigured meeting rooms, with increased signage. Additional features include:

• All F&B service complying with local guidelines and regulations from health organisations, with recommendations that food is served by a waiter in individual portions

 

• Meeting spaces undergoing more frequent cleaning and disinfecting using Ecolab products

 

• Meeting rooms at many hotels equipped with technology for virtual attendance

 

• Tissues and hand sanitiser provided for all delegates, and pedal-operated lidded bins to collect used tissues

 

• Surgical masks to be made available to anyone who develops respiratory symptoms

Depending on local regulations, some hotels will also include temperature screening. Where possible, the hotels will renovate indoor air by opening it up to outdoors to make sure it’s well ventilated.

 

For information on these hotels or any other hotel or meeting enquiry you may have, please get in touch with us using the contact form on the website.