Americas
Vancouver CC passes
the test
Vancouver Convention Centre (VCC) is being
put to the test again as apprentice exams
resume under the auspices of Canada’s
Industry Training Authority (ITA). The news
provides a welcome fillip for the local
economy.
The ITA has asked the VCC to stage its
exams for skilled trades professionals in
British Columbia (BC).
Six hundred skilled trades apprentices will
take exams in the centre over the course of the
summer. They will be one of the first events
held at the VCC as the facility resumes
operations within safety guidelines set by
British Columbia’s Provincial Health Officer.
US CDC guidelines
leave the onus on
local authorities
As communities in the United States begin
to plan events again, the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) has published
updated guidelines for events.
The idea is to create a framework for event
professionals to follow, although it leaves the
onus very much on local authorities and
many questions unanswered.
Event planners and officials can
determine, in collaboration with state and
local health officials, whether and how to
implement the considerations, making
adjustments to meet the unique needs and
circumstances of the local community.
Because Covid-19 virus circulation varies
in communities, the guidelines are meant to
supplement - not replace - any state or local
health and safety laws or regulations.
PHL Health Pledge welcome
The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors
Bureau (PHLCVB) has launched the PHL
Health Pledge, an initiative to help safely
welcome back visitors to the city as it reopens
for events business.
The PHLCVB has partnered with dean
emeritus of the Jefferson College of Population
Health, Dr David Nash, who will provide
direct advice and guidance to meeting
planners.
Dr Nash will also serve as a
PHLCVB-designated spokesperson on panels,
and review public health guidelines, reports
US-based event
management software
company Aventri has raised
further investment from
private equity investors,
HGGC and Level Equity.
Aventri says the capital
will fund future strategic
growth initiatives,
including investments in
core product development
and expansion of its virtual
and hybrid event platform.
“The continued
partnership with HGGC
and Level Equity
demonstrates the growing
confidence among investors
and market participants
that B2B meetings and
events will return at record
levels in 2021,” said Jim
Sharpe, CEO of Aventri.
“While our industry has
been heavily impacted by
Covid-19, at Aventri, we are
committed to continually
investing in software and
services that meet our
customers’ needs.”
and protocols.
President and CEO of the PHLCVB,
Gregg Caren, said: “Before the Covid-19
pandemic, Philadelphia’s tourism and
hospitality industry was one of the largest and
fastest growing employment sectors with over
76,000 hospitality-related jobs in the city…
This initiative will showcase our destination’s
unstoppable ingenuity, leveraging our robust
life sciences industry by drawing upon their
expertise to safely welcome visitors when the
time is right. Our goal is to put Philadelphians
back to work safely.”
Aventri raises new capital, predicts
meetings will return ‘at record levels’
Aventri recently launched
its Virtual Event Platform,
a fully integrated digital
and hybrid event solution.
John Block, Partner at
HGGC, added: “We’re
confident that with this
additional investment
Aventri will continue to not
only address the current
needs of the market, but
also innovate toward the
future of the industry to
win market share and drive
value for enterprises.”
ISSUE 107 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / 37