PULLING OFF THE UNTHINKABLE ! by Heather LeBlanc
NEW BRUNSWICK
THE MIRACLE SHOW THAT ALMOST DIDN ’ T HAPPEN
Hosting Bodybuilding & Fitness Events during a Global Pandemic can be extremely difficult and challenging ; not only for the Promoters hosting the event , but also for the Athletes preparing for it . 2020 has been a year of stress and uncertainties for the Entertainment Industry . We have all seen firsthand how easily and how fast things can change ; shows being cancelled , postponed , altered , modified and even some that have had to change cities and / or venues . Writing up a 24-page COVID Emergency Plan for presentation in order to execute an event with 94 athletes and 250 spectators was no easy task . You name it , we ’ ve done it , but like the old saying goes ; what doesn ’ t kill you , makes you stronger and that was proven with perseverance and determination in Moncton New Brunswick on October 9th , 2020 .
The New Brunswick Open & Natural CPA Championships ( two shows in one ) was scheduled to happen on Saturday , October 10th at the Capitol Theatre . The Atlantic Bubble saw athletes arriving from all 4 Atlantic Provinces , even as far as Newfoundland & Labrador . But on Friday afternoon around 3:15 pm , just before registration was suppose to begin at the Empress Theatre ( inside the Capitol ), the New Brunswick Government announced the Moncton area was returning to the " orange " zone meaning organized sports are not permitted and large live event venues would be shutdown . The venue cancelled our event immediately , we were stunned , and we were at such a loss . What do we do ? Where do we go ? How can we make this still happen ? Putting our thinking caps on , we called the Delta Beausejour Hotel equipped with a ballroom and luckily its own stage . We were requesting and aiming to hold the show Friday night and finish it before the stroke of midnight . The Hotel & Catering manager on duty asked to see our COVID Event Plan and how the event would unfold . Miraculously and after 20 minutes of much deliberation , our event was approved and within the first hour , we managed to secure a new venue , brought all our supplies to the venue , notified all the athletes and staff to arrive at the Delta immediately
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