TJS Services
TJS Services is a leading national facility services provider. We deliver quality cleaning, maintenance, construction and facility management services to over 1,500 sites Australia wide. Our…
read moreWith the leisure industry facing uncertainty over the weeks and months that lie ahead, Lara Burnes, General Manager of Premier Events & Experiences at Melbourne and Olympic Parks, has shared her key insights on how to work with event partners on rescheduling events to ultimately support and keep the industry afloat.
1. Contact your event partner, even if you don’t know what the future holds.
Venues, suppliers and partners are all doing it tough, just like you. While you might not know if you can reschedule your event, or if your event at a later date is going to be impacted, contact your partner to discuss your options.
Weigh up the possible scenarios - and begin to problem-solve together.
2. Keep moving. Detail a new timeline, even if only rough.
We must remember that venues will re-open and events will happen again soon. With this in mind, begin to map out new timelines, even if only rough. It’s important to keep on top of key dates and update your event partners accordingly.
To avoid congestion when everything is back to normal again, don’t be afraid to begin locking in dates. While there are still a lot of unknowns, confirming sooner than later will ensure that you have your top pick for your next event.
3. Be flexible, prepare for the what-if.
Remember a lot of event organisers will be facing the same challenges.
Once life returns to normal, demand will be high for venues and event resources – this means dates and availability may be limited and you might not get your first, or second, choice on dates. Use this time to prepare for the what if, and be flexible.
Remember, dates can change. It’s the experience your event offers that will be unique to your brand and the point-of-difference. Think about the busy and quieter periods of your industry and the 12-month calendar. You may even find some of your later choices in date pique interest of customers and drive a larger audience attendance.
4. Get planning.
Your event might not be happening next week or month, but that doesn’t mean you can’t continue to refine the experience to make it the best event yet.
At Melbourne & Olympic Parks, we have five venues and all venues are busy rescheduling and planning events for when this all blows over. Our business is operating from home, and the team are available to take enquiries, plan rescheduling events or just be there for a chat over a cuppa – and a virtual hug if needed!
Ultimately, while it might not feel like business as usual, venues are here and available to continue planning as normal. Most businesses are operating remotely, with the benefit of having the time to really invest on your event. Use this ‘downtime’ as an opportunity to brainstorm how to make your event the best one yet.
5. Think differently and embrace change.
When we emerge from this, the world will have changed and we will have adapted along the way. Embrace the changes and think about how you can incorporate them into your event.
Some of your attendees may not be able to travel due to budgets, health or simply because travel won't be a priority for their business. Work with your event partners on ways to enhance your event experience, such as working with a charity partner, local suppliers, or incorporating the digital space into your event with a live stream.
6. Be empathetic and kind.
We’re all in this together. People may be slower at getting back to you than usual or battling personal and professional challenges on different fronts.
Be empathetic and be kind, and remember that our actions now will shape our industry’s future.
Burnes, is currently driving the new venue CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park, scheduled to open late-2021.
Images: Functions at Margaret Court Arena (top) and Rod Laver Arena (middle).
24th March 2020 - New Zealand events industry reports cancellation of more than 3,000 events
23rd March 2020 - Prime Minister Scott Morrison announces new social restrictions to prevent Coronavirus spread that will last for months
23rd March 2020 - Survey shows how event organisers can bounce back from the Coronavirus impact
19th March 2020 - More local governments close facilities and halt events
18th March 2020 - Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison halts international travel and bans indoor gatherings of over 100
17th March 2020 - HOTA and MONA close to prevent spread of Coronavirus
12th February 2020 - Melbourne and Olympic Parks set to showcase new convention centre at AIME 2020
28th November 2019 - Rod Laver Arena named as a top 10 highest grossing venue
6th September 2019 - Ticketek extends historic Melbourne and Olympic Parks partnership for another five years
31st July 2019 - Australian Grand Prix Chair named new Chief Executive at Melbourne And Olympic Parks
15th July 2019 - Melbourne and Olympic Parks reveals name of new function and media centre
30th March 2019 - Melbourne and Olympic Parks showcases new function centre at Evolve 2019
29th January 2019 - Melbourne and Olympic Parks offers reimagined event spaces
18th December 2018 - New facilities completed at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena
31st May 2017 - Calls for renaming of Margaret Court Arena after Grand Slam winner’s comments on gays
4th September 2015 - Margaret Court Arena receives LEED Gold certification
16th March 2015 - Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena emerges as a new venue for live music
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