e have been open through the lockdowns , in line with Government guidelines , to serve critical training and events for key workers , so we are now well versed in the safe delivery of events . But we are also conscious that there are some who may not share our eagerness , due to concerns around Covid safety .

Many people have been safely at home for what seems like an eternity . Yet , even the most confident of go-getters may feel hesitant about getting back on a train and heading into the city or

being in a room with 100 of their colleagues . Many haven ’ t been on public transport or experienced a different working environment for months , because we have been urged to stay home , work remotely , and to stay away from people . This way of living and working has been ingrained in us and won ’ t disappear overnight .

This summer , as the weather improves , we will see a new type of hybrid event emerge . Rather than a mix of in-person and online engagement , this new definition of hybrid will be used to describe an event that is held across a combination of indoor and

“ This summer , as the weather improves , we will see a new type of hybrid event emerge .”

Below : Kents Hill Park ,

Milton Keynes

Above : Jo Austin , sales director ,

The Venues Collection

outdoor spaces . Organisers will be utilising outdoor spaces for the softer , social side of their events ; holding registration , breaks , networking and lunches in the open , while the educational or informative part of the event will be held indoors . Events will be held this way because delegates will feel safer and more comfortable socialising outdoors in the fresh air , while many companies need the privacy of holding their presentations in a well-ventilated but closed room . Keeping an audience socially distanced is straightforward when everyone is seated to watch a presentation , but it becomes more of a challenge when socialising or networking is involved , so delegates may feel safer if the social part of the event is outside .

Getting to and from a venue may also be a concern for some delegates . Public transport may feel a little risky for some , so they will welcome the opportunity to travel to meetings in their own car and to easily accessible out-of-town venues with lots of onsite parking . By thinking of