We were honoured to have such a diverse and informative panel for yesterday’s MPW Web Series and especially delighted to have A.S.O and RCS, organisers of massive portfolio of events including the Tour de France and Giro d Italia, sharing case studies across a wide range of cancelled events together the Rima Riga Marathon and Gulf Bank 642 Kuwait City Marathon. See highlights below:
- A cancellation decision may be taken out of your hands, prep your communications and key messages in advance of your event.
- Use as many communication platforms as possible to spread your messages to ensure it reaches everyone.
- Be aware of the power of social media, it can significantly influence decision makers and politicians over and above medical data – in the case of Rima Riga Marathon “twitter killed the event star”.
- Have the ability to communicate quickly but also be considered with communication, do not rush it – be conscious of the enormous value of “the power of pause”
- Epidemics and pandemics change situations rapidly, even COVID-19 secure planned events with support from authorities can be cancelled last minute.
- Have plans and a mindset to pivot challenging situations into opportunities, make the most of technology and innovative solutions.
- Experiences are key – focus on what you can still offer participants and sponsors, people are supportive of organisers trying to find solutions.
- Polls of attendees indicated that the biggest challenge facing organisers with COVID-19 cancellations was manging refunds and angry participants closely followed by the financial impact to their business.
- Last-minute cancellations are effecting more and more organisers, 36% of webinar delegates have had to cancel an event with less than 2 weeks of notice.
- Protocols for Pro events are different to those for mass events, treat arrangements for both individually.
- 10% of attendees had a no-refund policy, 61% offered transfers to future events, 19% a refund of less than 50% and 10% a refund of more than 50% of entry fees.
- 54% of attendees found that less than 50% of their costs were unrecoverable and 30% found that more than 75% of their costs were lost.
- Never take anything for granted, the ‘right solution’ might not exist, identify what is key to achieve and focus on that, be flexible and creative.
Next Web MPW Series: 20th May
Alternative revenue sources, pricing structures and managing cash flow
Hope to see you on Thursday 10 May:
5am Los Angeles
8am New York
1pm London
4pm Dubai
8pm Singapore
10pm Sydney