According to the COVID-19 Recovery Dashboard conducted between December 14th and 17th, eleven percent more suppliers and planners checked off “hopeful” when asked how they were feeling, nearly half of suppliers (49 percent) and 54 percent of planners. Planners in particular have come a long way since October when the were first asked to share their emotional state. Only one-third expressed optimism at that time.
There is good reason for the lift. The week this survey went out was the same week the first COVID-19 vaccinations were distributed to American healthcare workers, the first wave of the population to receive them, giving this industry and so many others a literal shot in the arm. 73 of suppliers and 66 percent of planners said that the approval of effective COVID-19 vaccines had changed their thinking about what might be possible. Ten percent of planners said they had reserved space or initiated booking space as a result of the news.
As effective vaccines became a reality, this month’s 554 respondents (375 planners and 179 suppliers) were offered a new question: would they be asking future attendees and staff at face-to-face events (whether as the event organiser or host venue or other supplier) to show proof of vaccination to be allowed entry? Both planners and suppliers were fairly aligned on this. Only 32 percent of meeting professionals and 38 percent of suppliers will make that a requirement.
COVID-19 Recovery Dashboard (December 14th – 17th): Survey and Analysis (PCMA website)
COVID-19 Recovery Dashboard (November 16th – 19th): Survey and Analysis (PCMA website)
COVID-19 Recovery Dashboard (October 19th – 22nd): Survey and Analysis (PCMA website)
Event Organisers’ Big Leap Forward (PCMA Convene article)
COVID-19 Recovery Dashboard (September 21st – 24th): Survey and Analysis (PCMA website)
COVID-19 Recovery Dashboard (August 17th – 20th): Survey and Analysis (PCMA website)
COVID-19 Recovery Dashboard (July 13th – 16th): Survey and Analysis (PCMA website)
COVID-19 Recovery Dashboard (June 15th – 18th): Survey and Analysis (PCMA website)
COVID-19 Recovery Dashboard (May 18th – 21st): Survey and Analysis (PCMA website)
COVID-19 Recovery Dashboard (May 4th – 7th): Survey and Analysis (PCMA website)
COVID-19 Recovery Dashboard (April 20th – 23rd): Survey and Analysis (PCMA website)
How is COVID-19 Changing the Business Events Industry? (PCMA survey)
