Research recently undertaken by RIBA at 66 Portland Place on the immediate and longer-term impact of Covid-19 points to a marked shift in the activation of events and experiences, which looks set to continue well into next year.
The quantitative research was carried out between September and October 2021 with responses from corporate organisations across sectors including hospitality, banking, the creative arts, education, and construction. Key take outs from RIBA’s research highlight that:
· In-person events were at their highest in the immediate aftermath of the lifting of restrictions in July with face-to-face events utilised to bring teams back together, and re-build trust and presence. However, hybrid events will lead the way in 2022. There is a clear desire to bring clients, partners and teams back together face-to-face, however corporates still want to utilise the benefits of an online element: potential cost savings, reaching more delegates and giving them the option to stay remote if they prefer.
· Despite there currently being no legal requirements to implement Covid-protocols, corporate organisations still have a very close eye on Covid-19 due to their duty of care to employees. As such Covid-protocols continue to have a significant influence on the organisation of events and experiences.
· Corporate organisations are looking to their venue to implement and advise on necessary protocols to keep everyone safe and mitigate the spread of Covid-19.
· Reduced guest numbers, social distancing, lateral flow testing and the wearing of face masks are the most prevalent Covid measures currently being considered and implemented by corporates.
· When it comes to their chosen venue, corporates want to see evidence of increased cleaning and sanitisation, the provision of hand sanitiser stations, one-way systems, temperature check on arrival and lateral flow testing.
Caterina-Jane Alves, Head of Venues at RIBA at 66 Portland Place, says: “We were keen to understand from corporate businesses how Covid-19 has impacted, and will continue to impact, the format and organisation of their events. Rather than speculating about what’s ahead we wanted to ask corporates for their thoughts on how they’ll be engaging with their people and clients going forward. The results from this survey should help other corporates who are navigating bringing their teams and clients back together during the pandemic, as well as helping other venues by highlighting which Covid protocols corporates are focussing on as part of their duty of care when organising in-person events.”
For a copy of the full report, please email venues@riba.org
