Most corporate travel plans were thrown for a loop as the world came to grips with the COVID pandemic. Our client’s annual all-hands vacation was one such example. After canceling it entirely in 2020, our client chose to move forward with the event again in late 2021. Given the evolving situation with the ongoing pandemic, Health & Safety became a renewed core element in the planning process.

Our team re-evaluated all the event elements through a Health & Safety lens, giving rise to new planning, processes, and procedures that were integral to the event’s success. Some of these measures now feel familiar and even routine, demonstrating just how vital Health & Safety measures have become.

We began by designating a Health & Safety Lead on our team and partnering with multiple event medical professionals to receive up-to-date Health & Safety guidance. This allowed us to create our new protocols, including everything from updated waivers, reduced capacities and adjusted space plans to reinforce physical distancing, and updated signage to distributing personal protective equipment and establishing a private on-site health clinic to provide COVID testing and care ranging from first aid to advanced life support.

As a result, of the nearly 800 event attendees, we had zero positive COVID cases during the event. In addition to COVID testing, the private health clinic was also able to provide care for additional occurrences, including wound care and treatment for jellyfish stings.

Creating this Health & Safety roadmap for our client allowed us to use this new insight and skill set in other programs. When the event industry was conflicted about returning to in-person events, MCW proved it was possible to have IRL events again. We helped pave the way for the future of events by setting an example with Health & Safety at the forefront of our approach to planning.