April 9, 2020

Vol.18, Issue 2

“These are the times that try one’s soul,” as the old saying goes. To that, let’s add that these are the times that try one’s relationships, strain one’s bankbook, and for all the stress eaters, expand one’s waistline. I think we  — the human race — were very much out of balance, and this pandemic is the only way the Universe could get our attention — stop us in our tracks and force us to PAUSE. In no way do I mean to diminish the pain and suffering or the losses of life and livelihoods — they are happening and damaging to our collective psyche, in addition to our personal grief.

I also continue, however, to look for the good things that are and will come out of these difficult circumstances, as we all press PAUSE and hopefully, reset. To borrow a phrase from the cancer world, there’s no going back to normal. We will be adjusting to a new normal, which I hope takes the form of a more just and healthy world than the one we are leaving behind.

As for events that were planned for this year, the picture ranges from bleak to not-so-bleak. With the isolation or shelter-in-place orders in many states, we had anticipated some cancellations of events that were booked for the upcoming months, and we are responding to them on a case by case basis. But so far, all but one have turned into postponements that are being re-booked for this fall or next year — or until a new date can be planned. I did get an inquiry the other day for an October date, but for the most part, it feels like clients, understandably, are in wait-and-see mode. While virtual events are on the rise, it also feels like people will be ready to gather together in person again once we get past this crisis.

INNOVATIONS IN MEETING FORMATS

I observed two interesting developments online recently that I think are worth sharing as we move through this new and unusual time and space:

1. A STAY AT HOME GALA

The need for annual fundraising doesn’t go away during a pandemic. In fact, the funds are needed more than ever. To fill the gap, a Credit Union in Canada moved their fund-raising gala online. They’re calling it the “Stay At Home Gala — a night to connect, unite and nourish our community.”  According to their website, this event is “social distancing at its finest.” 

Their announcement sounds inviting: “The first-of-its-kind event will host all the familiar elements: dinner (delivered to your door), game-changing speakers, entertainers, musicians, and much more. Don your best, log on, and dine in to support the members of our community who have been impacted by the COVID-19 virus.” The photo at the top hints at the potential in-home result.

How creative is that?  No need to cancel the speaker or the entertainment, or to find a new date and venue, and local restaurants benefit from take-out orders, supporting the restaurants and their staffs who have been hit especially hard during these challenging times. 

Guests were invited to sign in on their computers, and enjoy musicians via livestream at 6:30 and the program at 7:00.  The day before the event, when I found their website, they had already achieved almost $12,000 of their $20,000 goal – before the event date. After the event date, they exceeded their goal by $2,840.

The organizers told me that The Stay at Home Gala isn’t for profit, and that they are launching across North America with Charity fundraisers to help drive social connectivity and emergency funding at this time. They said the event went extremely well with more than 200 households turning in to the evening of thoughtful speakers and entertainers. Visit the website or email info@stayathomegala.com .

2. A VIRTUAL WOMEN’S EXPO

A second example was provided by Twin Cities Women’s Expo. As increasingly serious news about the spread of COVID-19 surfaced before the event’s original date of March 28-29, the organizers realized that they needed to take action to protect the health of their guests, participants, and community, and that meant postponing the live event.

That was a tough decision because the organizer, Rock What You Got, is all about getting people together.

Undaunted, however, they shifted gears, and in an effort to support their performers, speakers, and business owners, they turned the expo into a virtual event for both days. With their media partner, MCN6, along with Around Town Media, they produced a Virtual Expo for everyone to experience from the comfort and safety of their homes. They broadcast various components of the original event LIVE online and on their local Cable, Ch 6.

They offered an amazing schedule of speakers and experiences and sprinkled both days with small business showcases by their exhibitors. They had authors, musicians, and speakers on topics ranging from cooking and caregiving to agribusiness and finances, and some really fun stuff.

People were encouraged to start watch parties from their homes to share the experience virtually, while feeling like they’re coming together as a community.

But there’s another beneficial aspect to this event. Many of the performers, artists, and exhibitors are independent contractors and do not qualify for unemployment compensation. Acutely aware of that, the Expo organizers partnered with Springboard for the Arts to turn the Virtual Women’s Expo into a fundraising effort that supports artists, small business owners, and independent contractors who have been impacted by COVID-19.

Buffie Blesi, CEO of Rock What You Got, said that they definitely have a plan to stage the live show as soon as it is safe to do so. 

MY OWN PAUSE

I’ve re-written this issues 3 times, as it was hard to settle on what to write as things continued changing so quickly. My emotions have been all over the place between the abrupt disruption of the meeting business and the horror of the on-the-ground reality of what is happening at our hospital clients’ facilities — for both the workers and their families — to the disappointment over the cancellation of travel plans for family celebrations. Plus the cascading effects of this pandemic on every aspect of our culture have demanded daily adjustments from me, as I’m sure they have from you, too.

Between re-booking events to new dates and juggling all the incoming information, I am plenty busy in my home office. When this first happened, I thought, okay, time to update my database and spend some time getting to know new speakers, but as things are evolving, I may instead be re-inventing the entire business. 

To begin exploring that strategy, last week I convened a large ZOOM conference with my speakers. They eagerly attended and contributed thoughtful and innovative ideas. In addition to talking about how we can support our clients during this time, our primary topic was the move to virtual presentations. Any speaker who wasn’t already doing webinars, podcasts, live broadcasts, and virtual conferences is now in learning mode.

Our speakers’ topics, on health and wellness — in mind, body and spirit — couldn’t be more timely with all the stressful change and uncertainty we are experiencing. But the channels through which they may provide their messages are in flux.  Stay tuned for some free tools and tips I’m assembling to pass along to our clients and readers.

Meanwhile, while some people are hoarding T.P., my supply priority is making sure we don’t run out of our dog’s chewies and rawhides. Without her after-dinner treats Bindy would be very hard to live with.  She would not understand an empty cupboard. For her, nothing much has changed, other than in the mornings my husband and I push the furniture back in the living room to do yoga via ZOOM instead of walking out the door to the Club.

Bindy aside, we’re enjoying all the vigor of spring’s return. Magnolias are in full bloom, daffodils are rioting, and the tulips are just coming on. Last fall we transplanted some large hosta roots from my sister-in-law’s garden, and I make it a point to go out in the yard daily to check their progress as they emerge from the earth. Under normal circumstances, I doubt I would have taken the time to look and notice every day. But now the growth of new life perks me up, and I make a point to check on them every day.

Meantime, I send daily gratitude to all those providers on the front lines of essential services — especially doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers — who are putting their lives on the line for long hours every day to care for the sick. It makes me appreciate health all the more.

Until next time, stay in, stay well, and take care of yourself for your well being and those you love. 

Yours truly,

Barbara

For Your Well Being is published with the intention of bringing you insider speaker reports, exclusive stories about special events around the country, meeting planner tips, and fun stuff from the worlds of health and well being. Be well and be in the know!

The Speak Well Being Group is a specialized speakers bureau, focusing on speakers for hospital-sponsored community events, healthcare organizations, nurses, conferences and women’s groups. Our speakers are hand-selected. They are not only experts in their fields, they connect with their audiences while bringing them life-changing information, smiles of recognition and ultimately a sense of well being and hope.

Finding the perfect keynote speaker for your special event or conference is my personal passion, not just once, but year after year. It brings me great joy to know that your audience was delighted and moved by the speaker we selected together. I’m committed to making the process easy, pleasant and fun.