More venues have confirmed what measures they are undertaking in preparation for reopening. As a sign of the times, venues are not only implementing tighter hygiene controls, but adapting their packages to accommodate the increase in demand of digital and hybrid events.
BMA House (pictured) is one such venue which has launched new event packages that reflect the ongoing changes in the corporate and association meeting industry. The packages include options for webcasting, breakouts, speaker-only conferences and exhibitor and sponsor packages.
The flurry of announcements come after Emirates Old Trafford confirmed they would be hosting the West Indies’ Test Series and Warwick Conferences unveiled its strategy to keep event organisers, delegates and staff safe while hosting events and conferences ahead of re-opening on 6 July. The latter has confirmed bookings.
Kat Winfield, venue manager of BMA House comments: “As the home to the British Medical Association our policies and plans will be vetted and approved by the UK’s leading association for medical professionals in addition to meeting any government guidelines. In the meantime, we have created a series of packages that maximise our extensive technical expertise.
“They allow for purely digital events, speaker only broadcasts or hybrid events – with delegates onsite. We appreciate there are still many unknowns, but we want to reassure clients, stakeholders and staff that everything we do is focused on the safety of all concerned.”
The 2,000sqm-conference and exhibition venue has devised a new ‘Safe Spaces – Safe Meetings’ commitment to customers, which outlines the steps which will be put in place to ensure the safety of staff and clients. It includes flexible bookings and contracts, strict social distancing practices, revised catering provision, increased cleaning regimes and enhanced technology including video/relay conferencing which will be available to enable more guests to attend conferences and exhibitions safely or remotely.
The Safe Spaces – Safe Meetings commitment, which the venue says will be regularly updated in line with the latest government guidance, will be delivered by the British Motor Museum’s new managing director, Jeff Coope, who took over the position in April amidst the Covid-19 crisis.
He recently negotiated a long lease on the venue which has provided an opportunity for a hotel and second Museum Collections building to be delivered on site, as well as leading the venue’s recent £2m conferencing refurbishment to include its rooftop ‘Sky Suite’, offering panoramic views across the Warwickshire countryside.
Jeff Coope, managing director at the British Motor Museum, said: “Once we are in a position to reopen our meeting and conferencing facilities following the go ahead from government, we want to ensure that we take each and every precaution to ensure the safety and peace of mind of all delegates.
“For those already thinking about planning their next big event, we have a new virtual tour which enables event organisers to safely and remotely view the venues facilities from the comfort of their electronic device.”
Elsewhere, Gleneagles, one of Scotland’s most iconic hotels and sporting estates, has announced that it will reopen its doors on 15 July, pending final guidance and advice from the Scottish government. The venue will adhere to the advised hygiene standards, a press release noted.
Edgbaston Stadium is also set to reopen for ‘Safe Meetings & Events’ from 6 July, with a number of new and improved health, safety and cleanliness procedures in place to ensure the safety of all our guests and staff. It has also released a new Day Delegate Rate package.
The two established venues, IET London: Savoy Place and IET Birmginham: Austin Court, hav upgrade their AV capabilites to handle increased demand for streaming and other such eventtech.
