Another insightful Strength in Numbers session this week and great to see so many new faces and countries on the sessions. Here are some highlights:
- So many constantly changing moving parts that it’s hard to pin down and announce policies and then turn them into actionable delivery plans.
- Important to read the fine print in sanctioning requirements as they relate to insurance policies as you may inadvertently negate your insurance. Some ongoing discussions with USA Track and Field in this regard as to how their requirements relate to mass participation events as distinct from track and field meets.
- Challenges around the stress and plans to identify and manage “Go:No Go” dates for events that have in-principle approval
- More and more innovation around testing including airport security style COVID-sniffing dogs that have been successfully used at NBA games and are being considered by some MP events.
- There are opportunities in USA for free rapid antigen testing covered by insurance or in some cases federal budget. In one example at a track meet 2,700 participants were tested in 2.5 hours. Every participant welcomed the additional safety measures that were presented and did not complain about any inconvenience.
- Some events starting to move ahead with plans for in-person expo and race-pack collection but with significantly reduced number of exhibitors (“it’s a shame that we may have to leave out the ‘mum and pop’ exhibitors this year”) Adjustments on expo layout and flows and key to have detailed plans that identify social distancing, dwell times and space constraints.
- Events in Europe are very slow in restarting and many still being cancelled for 2021 eg ING Marathon in Luxembourg was cancelled recently.
- Question regarding data protection privacy for tracking apps: Does anyone have any insights into concerns about participants’ whereabouts being tracked on an app during virtual events?
- Things are starting to look positive in Romania, restrictions are now generally being applied locally rather than countrywide. Fitness and shopping centres have extended opening hours to 9 pm. There will be a key meeting next week with the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Health to discuss specifically running and sports events. Collaboration happening with the Ministry of Culture to see what can be applied to sport from this year’s UNTOLD festival which is expecting 20k participants in a stadium.
- Does anyone have any case studies on making decisions around bringing children back to events? Any insights, please share.
- Many contractors are really struggling. Where they were supportive to provide free or low cost services to help the industry six months back, some of them now seem to not be in a positive to provide those services.
If you have any insights to share regarding points raised above or would like to be connected to attendees who shared any of the information outlined please do not hesitate to contact me directly chris@massparticipationworld.com
Join us on 10 and 11 April for the next Strength in Numbers session:
10 May Monday
10am London
1pm Dubai
5pm Singapore
7pm Sydney
7pm Sydney
s
11 May Tuesday
Monday
6pm Los Angeles
9pm New York
s