Outdoor Events |
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Food , glorious food Sometimes , one of the most memorable elements of an event is the food , and selecting the right menu is one of our favourite parts of event planning .
Make sure to work with a catering partner who has experience with outdoor events and that they can consult with you on the best menu options that are suitable al fresco .
This could be a great opportunity to use food trucks or independent street food vendors . This will ensure all food is prepared to order and will be memorable for your guests , as well as supporting small businesses who may have suffered during the pandemic .
Waste not , want not It ’ s important to understand where the waste from your event will end up . At Oddity , we try to ensure the events we run for our clients are aligned with the overarching values and policies of their organisation .
If your client or organisation has a strong sustainability policy , reinforce this in the events you deliver , particularly where there is a significant amount of waste involved .
Select suppliers that have zero waste to landfill policies , and which prioritise sustainability in the delivery of their services . Work with your suppliers and venue or landowner to understand where your event waste will end up , and ask whether they work with any social enterprises to recycle or reuse materials .
Place waste receptacles in as many places as you can to make sure no litter gets left behind . Be clever and creative with signage to make sure people put the right things in the right bins .
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The Covid-19 legacy Despite the success of the vaccination rollout to date , there will be a lot of Covid-19-related considerations to add to your list while you are planning .
Even though you are hosting outdoors , some delegates may still be anxious about attending , while some groups may not have been vaccinated . We recommend engaging with your attendees ahead of the event to establish their fears or concerns , and how you can best
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put them at ease . This could mean implementing some hybrid features such as live-streaming the entertainment , adding gamification via an app or virtual platform , or sending goody boxes with treats to those who would prefer to join remotely .
Sadly , the pandemic has seen many event businesses close , and the road to recovery will be long . We recommend supporting independent and local businesses wherever possible to help them get back on their feet .
With the reduced number of suppliers operating at full capacity , you will need to allow ample contingency time in your project tracker to make sure each supplier is able to work with your time frame . You may need to factor in some extra time for further research and supplier or contractor sourcing , and make sure your suppliers have insurance too .
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This is by no means an exhaustive checklist for planning outdoor events in summer 2021 . But rather , this is what we at Oddity will be doing to make sure we respond to our clients ’ evolving needs , enabling them to deliver impactful but safe events for their audiences . Though it may take a while for the industry to fully recover , we know it ’ s only a matter of time before our calendars are full of events , both outdoor and indoor , once more , and we can ’ t wait . |