Image by Muratart for Adobe Stock
In a wreck, per maritime tradition, the captain “goes down with the ship.” Sea captains hold the ultimate responsibility for their vessels, passengers and crew. In an emergency, it’s their job to save everyone on board — or die trying. That might sound familiar to leaders in meetings and hospitality who, since March 2020, have struggled to stay afloat. Some floundered, but many others fought the tide, saved their own and took pains to help others.
We’ve celebrated such captains of our industry in the new Meetings & Conventions cover story, “How 10 Organizations Are Serving the Greater Good During Covid-19.” Each of the 10 organizations profiled went to great lengths to support their employees, clients and communities. They measured success not in dollars but in doing the right thing. A few examples:
The organizations we’ve featured are just a representative sample that have come to our attention. How is yours leading by example? Email me so we can share your story, too.
Are Cancellations Coming?
Is the New York International Auto Show’s cancellation last week, just two weeks out, a disturbing harbinger of what lies ahead? In making the decision, organizers cited the surge in Covid cases due to the Delta variant, as well as New York City’s decision to require proof of vaccination for indoor dining and entertainment. The 121-year-old event typically brings more than 1 million people to Manhattan, per published reports.
Northstar’s PULSE Surveys indicated clear signs of recovery over the past few months — but how about now? Has the Delta variant and the resulting surge in Covid cases altered your plans for upcoming meetings? What’s your outlook for future events? Please take two minutes to share your insights with us. Results will be published Aug. 19.
Northstar’s Olympic Adventure
How do you hold a Covid-safe, two-week event for 50,000 people? Jason Gewirtz, SportsTravel’s editor and publisher, went to Tokyo to find out. Just after his return, we talked about his experience for the latest episode of Eventful: The Podcast for Meeting Professionals. Listen as Jason recounts the reams of instructions, a six-hour check-in process at Narita International Airport and an intricate transit system that kept the Olympics crowd in a Covid-safe bubble apart from the city. And pay close attention: Similar measures could become the norm for major international events in the future.