Caroline Thissen, Area Senior Director – Sales & Revenue Optimization, Africa & Middle East, Radisson Group, shares with us the new normal for the M!CE industry
Shehara Rizly
What will the M!CE industry look like in 2021?
We are expecting that as restrictions ease, we will see demand resurface for face-to-face meetings. These will start on a small scale and then increase to larger meetings as we get to Q3/Q4 of 2021.
Will there be a new normal for this segment?
Social distancing is going to be key. Hotels will need to ensure they have checked new capacities for meeting rooms allowing for ample space between delegates. At the Radisson Hotel Group we have developed a 10- step safety protocol across all our hotels specifically for meetings and events (M&E), these steps include; placing a ‘disinfect box’ in meeting rooms for used stationery items, F&B safety procedures and of course social distancing. We have a video that can be sent to our clients so they can see the new protocols and can rest assured their delegates are in safe hands.
Will the requirements of clients change?
With restrictions on travel and the need to adapt, at Radisson Hotel Group we have brought a solution to the market for Hybrid Meetings. We have partnered with Zoom to provide a smooth experience for our clients’ virtual and hybrid meetings and events. Specialist in-house event teams will assist clients in delivering a range of events from hybrid multi-site meetings to broadcasting events.
Have you started promoting M!CE events?
Throughout the crisis we have had flexible M&E terms and conditions available in all our hotels, these include; in case of cancellation, event fees can be utilised for future events and you can reduce the number of attendees by 10 per cent per day up to arrival, free of charge.
We have also relooked at all meeting room capacities to ensure social distancing and have loaded these on online M&E portals. We have also introduced Hybrid Rooms which combine the facilities of a state-of-theart office with the comforts of a hotel room to create a productive, dedicated, and quiet workspace for the business traveller, leisure guest, and local day-guest alike. Hybrid Rooms offer easy connectivity to second screen devices, videoconferencing facilities, wireless enabled keyboard, mouse and loudspeaker, printing services, stationery, access to on-site wellness facilities, and many other benefits.
We have had flexible terms and conditions; in case of cancellation, event fees can be utilised for future events
Quick byte Hybrid Rooms combine facilities of a state-of-the-art office
