If the past two years have taught us anything, it is that the way people meet both in their personal and professional lives, has changed. And for the foreseeable future, convention and visitors bureau’s and meeting planners across the country and world, have to figure out ways to keep attendees and visitors alike, safe when staying in their respective city.
At the Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau, our focus is to promote the city as a premier visitor and meeting destination. As you could imagine, both of those have been a challenge during a pandemic. So how do we drive those economic dollars while still being socially cognizant of what is going on around the world? We highlight the unique options that the city offers and our expertise to show that there are ways to meet and stay in Beaumont safely.
We know that the main concern attendees and visitors want to know is what guidelines are in implemented to make sure that safety is of the upmost importance. Our sales team is in constant contact with hotel representatives and partners to ensure that when you host your meeting in Beaumont, precautions are being taken seriously and the meeting planners’ needs are in mind.
Health and Safety
When hosting your meeting with the Beaumont CVB, meeting planners are privy to our servicing options. Not only does a “swag bag” add to the registration process, but also helps with sanitary needs. Bags can include pens and paper, disposable masks, wipes, sanitizer, and various other tools for attendees to have their own materials. Health screenings and temperature checks can be included in the registration process as well as a survey sent via email before the event starts.
Providing multiple sanitation stations and scheduling time between meetings or sessions can help with additional cleaning options.
Scheduling
Pre-Covid, meetings, and conventions tended to run quickly, with attendees shuffling from back-to-back sessions, while little time to take a break or network. Better scheduling with breaks will be a large part of keeping individuals safe. Think about staggering registration, limit session sizes, and create a cap for the number of people in each room. Overflow areas can help with size capacity and give attendees the chance to watch from anywhere.
Food and Beverage
As much as we all love a good buffet, we may not be using those as frequently. To avoid lines and individuals gathering in large quantities; serve plated meals, have pre-packaged food, and create a tailored menu that is easy to choose from.
Outdoor Space
Now, more than ever, attendees and meeting planners are looking for out-of-the-box spaces. Especially those that can accommodate meeting outdoors. In Beaumont, check out The Great Lawn, The Event Centre, and the Julie Rogers Theatre green space for downtown options. Rent out the Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum or the Beaumont Botanical Gardens Center at Tyrrell Park for off-site events.
When it comes time to start looking ahead to plan for your next meeting or convention for your respective organization or group in the New Year, think local, and utilize the Beaumont CVB. Contact our Director of Sales, Freddie Willard, at freddie.willard@beaumonttexas.gov or 409-880-3160 to learn about our options and get started.