Your company events following COVID-19 will look quite different from those held before the pandemic. As a business owner, you may be wondering how you can prepare for small and large functions. What do you need to consider, and what safety guidelines should you adhere to?
Here’s how to prepare for your first company event post-COVID-19:
Go Virtual
During the outbreak, many companies held meetings and conferences virtually. Small- and medium-sized events, in particular, can work well this way. By doing this, you can take advantage of communication and marketing opportunities that may enhance the gathering. You can also connect attendees with exhibitors online and raise awareness about what your company offers.
Post-COVID-19, you may find that virtual events work well for your business. They can lower expenses by eliminating the costs of travel and food. You can ask questions and host games in a virtual conference arena to keep your attendees engaged.
Plan for Security
Security is important for company events, particularly for a large one held in a stadium or arena. To keep everyone safe, implement the following tips:
1. Hire a Security Presence
Establishing a security presence is essential for a large company event. In a stadium, safety measures may include metal detectors, bag checks and personnel. They can dissuade and prevent acts of terrorism. For example, a backpack bomber detonated a device outside the University of Oklahoma’s football stadium rather than inside due to a mandatory bag search at the gate.
While attendees may grumble about these checks, measures like this will ensure the security of your company event. Not only is this important before a gathering, but it is also crucial during one. Visual security can make your attendees feel protected and keep things running smoothly.
2. Discourage Dense Gatherings
Areas where people gather in large numbers are often targets for attackers. In these crowded spaces, criminals can go unnoticed. If you are holding a company event at a venue, you may want to avoid forming points where people mingle. To do so, spread out any populated locations.
You may also want to avoid dense gathering points to maintain social distancing practices. A security presence can help prevent attendees from clustering together.
3. Facilitate a United Effort Among Your Staff
You can plan for security at your company event by facilitating a united effort. An essential part of a successful emergency response is an organized security force. Personnel should understand what is expected of them and be able to work together to enforce protocols. Your staff members need to be prepared to respond to an emergency in a coordinated fashion, along with quickly identifying whether a larger attack is at hand.
Invest in Your Business
Next, you can prepare for your first company event post-COVID-19 by investing in your business. Here are some of the most important ones:
- New or better equipment: If you intend to move toward more virtual events, you may want to invest in equipment for your employees. Consider webcams and mics that will make virtual meetings and conferences possible for staff members working remotely.
- More space: You may want to physically expand the site of your business to create bigger working spaces for personnel to maintain social distancing.
- Improved sanitation: You may also want to incorporate better sanitation practices into your business.
One way to finance this investment is by securing a business loan. This can provide the funding you need to grow your business or build better accommodations for your employees and customers. When a small-business loan is used for advertising and promotion, it may lead to an increase in your gross revenue.
Follow Safety Guidelines From the CDC
Employers can help slow the spread of the virus in the workplace. By following safety guidelines established by the CDC, you can reduce and prevent the transmission of COVID-19 among your employees.
1. Implement a Plan
Every business should implement a plan for following safety guidelines before the first company event post-COVID-19 and update this plan as necessary. The plan should:
- Be specific to your business’s workplace.
- Incorporate control measures that can reduce or eliminate exposure to COVID-19.
- Identify all job tasks and areas that could potentially expose employees to the virus.
- Follow the CDC’s recommendations for cleaning and disinfection.
2. Guidelines for Cleaning and Disinfection
The CDC’s recommendations for cleaning and disinfection include:
- Clean a dirty surface with water and soap before you disinfect it.
- Wear additional personal protective equipment as needed.
- Use a product that is EPA-approved for use against the virus that causes COVID-19.
- Wear gowns and gloves that are appropriate for the chemicals you are using to clean and disinfect.
3. Educate Employees on How to Protect Themselves
Educate your employees on how they can protect themselves both at work and home. As a business owner, advise your employees to:
- Stay home from work if they are feeling sick.
- Wash their hands with water and soap frequently for a minimum of 20 seconds.
- Use hand sanitizer that contains a minimum of 60% alcohol if they do not have access to water and soap.
- Inform their manager or supervisor if they live with someone who is sick with COVID-19.
Check the CDC website regularly to monitor the regulations and recommendations at the federal, state and local levels.
Back to Business
By going virtual, planning for security, investing in your business and following safety guidelines from the CDC, you can prepare for your first company event post-COVID-19.
Lexie is a UX content strategist and web designer. She enjoys copious amounts of coffee (with a dash of milk) and walking her goldendoodle. Check out her design blog, Design Roast, and follow her on Twitter @lexieludesigner.
