On June 16th, 2020, Austria reopened its borders. The Giant Ferris Wheel is turning again, restaurants are busy taking orders and the hotels are back to business! Vienna welcomes you back to restart your summer and sourcing this beautiful city for your next international meeting.
Click here to learn more.
Since quarantine, what has your day-to-day routine been? If it is anything like mine, there’s endless video calls on a few platforms – Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and our CRM to name a few. Naturally, I love the outdoors! My last major outing was running the marathon in Berlin in September. With our industry affected on so many different fronts, the idea of traveling has taken a backseat. Now, technology makes this possible for you to see the world from your home! I love the outdoors. My last major outing was running the marathon in Berlin in September.”
From the comforts of your couch, purchase a ticket to be wooed by live performances by the Berlin Philharmonic or broadcast free recordings from the Vienna State Opera. Take a virtual tour of museums and other must-see sites in places like Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Panama City, Panama; and, Seoul, South Korea. These new experiences are becoming the norm as they are still able to provide a taste of a city’s culture and Vibrance.
What was once a resource tool to simply replace the likes of brochures has now taken on a new light for both Meetings Industry professionals, as well as for tourists.
Due to the recent global pandemic, the 2020 World Expo will be rolling out the red carpet on October 1st 2021 – March 31st 2022 instead. EXPO 2020’s postponement will provide the opportunity to hold the event where all countries can actively participate. With a record high participation of 192 countries, the world EXPO is a large international exhibition designed to showcase achievements of nations.
This will be a celebration of the UAE’s vision of supporting the growth of tourism, stimulating the development of innovative businesses in the UAE, and enhancing the country’s international reputation as a destination to do business.
Every World’s Fair is created around a theme geared towards finding solutions for a better future. For EXPO 2021 the umbrella theme is “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future” with 3 subthemes of opportunity, mobility, and sustainability.
Each country will have a dedicated pavilion where attendees will be able to experience innovation at their fingertips. The architectural designs will immediately transport visitors to that country. The interaction level will go from walking through a central square immersed in water in Brazil to communicating with extraterrestrial existence in China using the largest satellite radio. The EXPO 2020 Dubai will be a full 173 days bursting with attraction tours, incredible gastronomy and unforgettable performances.
Come October 2021, should you find yourself looking to travel, meet the world in Dubai.
In unpredictable times, a Visionary rises to the challenge and is able to provide meaningful and sustainable solutions. Long before the industry coined the term, collaborative marketing, Diane and her team have been doing just that. Diane is the President of DLR Marketing. With over 35 years in the industry, Diane is a pioneer in her field. A few weeks into the quarantine, I spoke to Diane. She was very optimistic and is keeping a positive outlook on the current crisis.
In the midst of a demanding schedule, Diane shared some golden feedback. She also asked her equally talented team to share their thoughts as well, adding once more, her collaborative approach to problem solving.
JN: During this COVID-19 crisis, are there any strategies/responses that you and your company have implemented for your current/future clients?
DR: While we all seemed to be thrust into the COVID-19 crisis at about the same time, it quickly became apparent that there really was no “one size fits all” solution in navigating a response. And, I guess you could say we literally hit the ground running in early March, having arrived on-site in Scottsdale to begin installation for a multi-day conference when the client needed to cancel the next day due to Coronavirus concerns. This unexpected turn of events resulted in a swift action to mitigate losses with the meeting hotel and vendor partners.
Additionally, with just 4 of us on site – we met up with the charitable organization who had helped in the planning of a philanthropic partnership – and were still able to honor the client’s commitment to a local elementary school for a truly memorable and one-of-a-kind day of service. Since that time, we have “pivoted” like the rest of the world – crafting new messaging, trying alternative ways to communicate, exploring new technologies, going virtual with some programs and, unfortunately, having to cancel others.
For all clients though, we’ve done our best to encourage and help in creating well thought-out plans of action that take into account each organization’s own unique situation and set of challenges. Besides moving them beyond their initial COVID-19 responses, we’re developing strategies to address many of the what-if’s, along with short and longer term solutions that can accommodate modifications as needed in light of this continuously evolving situation. Our clients seem to really appreciate that we’ve taken this time to help them refocus and re-plan where needed instead of reacting too quickly with answers that may not fit their ultimate goals.
JN: What legacies has your company created on behalf of international associations/meetings you manage?
DR: A global program that we help plan brings thousands of unique guests from 40+ countries together in one place and – somewhere different in the world each year. We help promote the destination as part of the benefits of attending the event, as well as integrate the essence and culture of the host city to add excitement and authenticity to the guest experience. Venues that are distinctive to the city are considered whenever group size allows, local partners are brought onboard, and time is made available outside of the set programming for guests to explore, shop, dine and enjoy the nightlife of these world class destinations. This event is annual but far from templated and incorporates the flavor of the host city. While this has obvious economic impact to the city, it may be that the spirit and creativity of our guests (who happen to come from the health and beauty industry) leaves the biggest and longest-lasting impression on the cities we visit and the locals they meet.
JN: As the meeting industry has been heavily impacted by this crisis, how are you coping as a meeting planner?
DR: As planners, not being able to predict what the next week, month, year will bring goes against every fiber of your soul. It is part of our job to plan after all so there was definitely a mourning period for the programs that are not happening and had to be un-planned. That being said, there is a new world opening up to connect people in a different way and we all are learning and experimenting together very quickly. Our team is focusing on the human element and how to bring that to guests virtually.
We know meetings and events are all about the experience – communicating, connecting and being inspired. While virtual or hybrid options are explored, we want to find the right solutions and partners to bring these same elements to life. We are channeling our energy into learning new ways to communicate for our clients and have spent countless hours logging into a multitude of virtual offerings to see what’s out there. We’re leaning on old and new relationships to see how others are navigating the space while finding unique ways to inspire guests and capture an audience’s attention online – with a little fun and surprise added on top.
JN: Any advice to share?
DLR Team: Look for the positives. We believe live experiences will return to fill the empty hotel rooms and convention centers and everyone’s calendars will be full once again but, until then, we all need to manage this new normal with as much inventiveness, determination and humor as we can muster. Value your partnerships and embrace collaboration. We are all at the beginning of something new and there are no right or wrong answers as we traverse this crisis. So try an idea that perhaps you would have never previously given merit to and see where it takes you.
Finally, enjoy the simple pleasures – being home, taking that exercise break mid-day, having family meals together and not rushing to the next appointment. Move your workspace outside – don’t wait for the weekend to enjoy the patio or porch. Dig deep to find whatever it is that you need to keep yourself mentally strong until we can return to being together in person.
As the world is slowly returning back to the new normal, we are delighted to share some good news out of Vienna!
Starting May 29, 2020, group of up to 100 people are allowed to host their meetings in Vienna.
To learn more about Vienna, visit the Tourist Board website and/or take a virtual tour of the beautiful city in the meantime.
Photo credit: Vienna Tourism
As we all wait till we meet again, the City of Vienna is rolling out the red carpet and looking forward to welcoming you back to the world’s greenest city and the culture capital of Austria. From its whimsical landscapes, stunning architecture to opera houses, Vienna is this and more!
Take a stroll through Vienna:
There is great value in collaborating with your peers.
As we have all been diligent with our regular everyday interactions, technology has allowed us to continue to build personal and business relationships from the comfort of our own homes.
Dubai Business Events (DBE) along with the Dubai Association Center (DAC) has been doing just that, by bringing industry leaders together.
DBE hosted virtual events providing pointed information for the association, corporate & incentive markets. Recently, three panelists participated in a fireside chat during the Association Thought Leadership live events.
During the open and candid conversations, the panelists shared their most recent valuable experiences.
“We are a community, a community enabling everyone to come together and respond to each other.” – Elissa Myers
“The CVB will know best when it comes to transportation, hotels, activities, etc.” – Patricia Blake
“Moving forward, localized and regional meetings will take place first before any annual, larger meeting are back into full affect.” – Magdalena Mook
To catch the full recording of the events, please click here:
DBE looks forward to continuing to grow relationships and supporting their industry peers in the best way possible.
In the meantime we invite you to, experience Dubai from your living room!
A week ago, we celebrated Earth Day!
Cities across the world have seen an unusual activity of wildlife returning to the streets or taking an afternoon nap in an otherwise tourist busy safari park.
To top it all off, Resonance examined the 50 most visited cities in the world to determine how green they are (even with the carbon footprint)! The ranking is guided by nine data points including percentage of public green spaces, level of air pollution, walkability and number of farmer’s markets to name a few.
Delighted to announce Vienna, Austria topped the list! With more than half of the metropolitan area making up green spaces and a total of 2,000 parks, it comes to no surprise that Vienna was also on Mercer Study list in 2018 as the world’s most livable city nine years in a row!
To see if your favorite destination made the list, click here
This Wednesday, on April 22nd, marked the 50th celebration of Earth Day. Events are held in more than 192 countries in order to highlight conservationism efforts and support for environmental protection. Due to COVID-19, some parts of the world have already seen/felt/smelled a difference. Of course, the future of meetings is virtual and sustainable as the use of technology in conducting business has seen an increase in demand. At the same time, face-to-face meetings are still important, and more meeting planners are now looking to spaces with high standards/grading for Green meetings.
As you prepare for your next sustainable meeting, here are some recommendations I’ve encountered from attending meetings:
There are more ways to encourage delegate participation with your Green meeting initiatives! As simply put, it is good for the environment. Our clients, Berlin, Dubai, and Vienna, Panama, and South Korea have all embarked on strategic goals with venues committed to sustainability. As our world continues to adapt to the ever-growing demand, it is up to you to make a difference.
Photo source: Global Destination Sustainability Index (another worthy read on the future of meetings!)
As we’ve all retreated into the safe confinements of our homes and home offices, there are a few ways to remain connected with your favorite co-worker or perhaps, discovering a new destination through a unique virtual experience.
Vienna, a vibrant city for culture and the arts, invites you to experience Vienna online! From a front row seat at the Vienna State Opera to the collaborative Corona Collection Project where Viennese are invited to share photos of private and everyday life during the Corona Crisis, there’s much to discover.
Start a tour today.
Photo credit: Christian Stemper for Vienna Tourism