Wimbledon-based agency Sleek has reported an uplift in live event enquiries in the wake of prime minister’s plans to proceed with Step 3 on 17 May.
From Monday, indoor events for up to 1,000 people or 50% venue capacity can return with Covid mitigation measures.
Lizzie Burdge, the agency’s business development and marketing director, told Conference News that the news was “incredibly positive”.
“Since the announcement on Monday [10 May], we have already seen an uplift in regards to in person event enquiries along with conversations with clients that are curious about what the change in restrictions means for their upcoming event plans,” she said.
“It’s incredibly positive and encouraging news for the Sleek team. As an agency we have been preparing for the return of live events for a while now, along the way we have been sharing messages of industry confidence and reassurance with our audience and to now see that messaging come to fruition is rewarding.
“As a team we are ready to come back together and return to our passion of creating experiences for our clients, we all even experienced some nostalgia in regard to a registration desk the other week.”
Excitement and cautious curiosity
Burdge noted that the mood among clients was a mixture of excitement, anticipation and cautious curiosity. “Everyone wants to know what everyone else is doing and looking at who is going to be the leader in the return to live and in-person events,” she said. “The Government pilot events have helped to demonstrate that live can return and what can be done to ensure attendee safety, but it will come down to a few more businesses taking the first step outside of the pilot scheme.”
Burdge added that the next step for Sleek is the release of a white paper next month, called Rebuilding Your Events Calendar. “We are aiming to instill confidence with our clients and demonstrate how events are should still be an essential part of your marketing strategy,” she said.
