(Pictured above: Form Decor 10×10 Physical Distancing Best Practices Lounges)
If there is one thing that this weekly roundup has discovered over the past six months, it is that the tradeshow and event industry thrives and innovates, no matter what life throws at it. Certainly, the en masse return to traditional formats is still something to think about in the long-term, but that only means a boom in industry to look forward to when it does. In the meantime, here are the latest stories from those on the front lines of COVID-19.
From the disruptive innovation of Silicon Valley to the technological wizardry of Hollywood, the Golden State has been a land of invention for more than 100 years. In Huntington Beach, America’s largest event furniture rental provider, FormDecor Furniture Rental, is introducing a new line of Physical Distancing Best Practice (PDBS) Lounges. Designed for use at outdoor events, including concerts and large formal gatherings, as well as indoor celebrations, the pods come in two designs. The first is composed of four individual armchairs, each sharing a central table, with the second design coming with two love seats and two shared tables. And since each pod is unique and separated from its neighbors, the complete setup allows the maximum number of guests to utilize any given space.
In Georgia, the annual Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic, has taken a stand again COVID-19, and will go ahead on September 28 at Berkeley Hills Country Club in Duluth, Geo. During a livestream panel discussion held on August 28, the RSMGC Board discussed the reasons for proceeding with the event, and identified the safety protocols that will be in place. The group also announced that sponsor and golf participation rates had been reduced by 50 percent.
Rounding things off in the Midwest, Orbus Exhibit & Display Group of Woodbridge, Ill., recently launched a diverse line of sneeze guards, protection walls and barriers. Dubbed Modulate Sneeze Guard Walls, the products come in a range of sizes, and are available with custom-branded vinyl graphics. Each Modulate product can be used as a stand-alone entity, or can be connected to create larger walls, even with unique angles. The aluminum tube frame features snap-buttons for ease of construction, while the Plexiglas and PVC infill panels come blank or printed with branded artwork.
On the other side of the Atlantic lies the ancient town of Witham, England. Historically associated with the Vikings, today Witham is home to another powerful force: end-to-end event marketing firm, Buzznation Event Technologies. Buzznation’s Head of Global Business Ratnesh Singh joined author, keynote speaker and futurist Bernard Marr on the Event Industry News Podcast recently to talk about how the firm is leveraging its digital capabilities to help businesses turn their meetings virtual. A powerful exploration of the event and engagement marketing landscape of tomorrow, the podcast can be viewed in full here (we recommend it).
Upcoming stories in this series will feature companies and individuals who have risen to the occasion to build temporary medical facilities, masks and whatever is needed during the current crisis. If your company is going above and beyond to assist in this fight, please email us at newsdesk@exhibitcitynews.com and Amadeus at amadeus_finlay@hotmail.com for inclusion in future stories in this series.
