Looking into the future at Conventa Crossover 2021

LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO ATTEND BORING CONFERENCES

For the 6th year in a row, Conventa Crossover will be inviting world-renowned meeting planners and marketers to Ljubljana, Slovenia, turning the capital into a celebration of the meetings industry.

For the first time, Conventa Trade Show and Conventa Crossover conference will be carried out in the same week, or as the organisers like to call it – Conventa Week. Conventa Crossover will be taking place at the end of the week, from 26 to 27 August 2021.

Organising the first hybrid version of the Conventa Crossover conference in 2020 gave the organisers (Toleranca Marketing) an incredible amount of practical experience and knowledge. At the same time, the third wave of the pandemic further consolidated their belief that live contact is priceless. Therefore, they have decided that the 6th Conventa Crossover will be taking place in hybrid form, meaning participants will be joining the event both LIVE and ONLINE. Nevertheless, they hope to see as many attendees as possible in person, at the physical venue in Ljubljana, where all necessary health and safety precautions will be taken.

The central theme of this year’s Conventa Crossover conference is rather simple – finding out what events will look like AC (After Corona), and what they were like BC (Before Corona). The theme is a logical response to one of the greatest social and environmental changes we are witnessing.

“We believe in the co-responsibility of all stakeholders in the meetings industry to co-create better and, above all, more sustainable events. The cohesive thread will be looking into the future, as the pandemic has proven we should not be going back to old ways. Events are a space of discourse and a training ground for building social responsibility and new values. This cannot be replaced by social networks and all too often misused technology or advanced algorithms for digital events.” said Gorazd Čad, Founder of Conventa Crossover

Attendees will learn from keynote speakers who have successfully transformed their events and are recognized as the pioneers of our new reality. Joining the event will be the so called Legends of Crossover, who have helped co-create and transform the meetings industry. At the same time, Crossover will be opening the stage to a new generation of young and talented meeting planners and marketers, breaking down stereotypes with unusual event formats. They will discuss long-term sustainable business after the corona crisis (AC). As well as how each organiser can contribute their share to a better industry.

1. Safety addition to the registration process

Alongside the usual and commonly-known registration, all attendees will fill out a form, specifically designed to ensure health and safety, a week before arrival. Moreover, they will have to show their European vaccination passport. By following such measures, we will prevent high-risk individuals from attending Conventa. We will also enable participant monitoring in line with the instructions from the National Institute of Public Health. All information will be included in the official app of the event. With the help of acquired information, we will enable contactless registration.

2. Rapid antigen tests at the venue

Participants, who will not be vaccinated at least 3 weeks before the event, will be tested with rapid antigen tests upon arrival. The testing will be conducted by a professional staff, who will, if necessary, also measure the temperature of participants according to the guidelines published by the National Institute of Public Health.

3. High-risk groups and self-isolation

The process of safe registration and quick antigen testing will enable us to prevent particularly vulnerable or infected individuals from attending the event. However, we will also ensure a designated area for self-isolation in cooperation with the medical staff

4. Restriction of group size

Due to the transport of participants, individual groups of attendees will be limited. We will ensure the safety distance during the transport according to the regulations requirred by the National Institute of Public Health. At the event itself, a smart layout will prevent large groups from forming.

5. Event logistics

The logistic part will be specially tailored by following the simple logic of making the space of Conventa Crossover 50% larger. Such a strategy will help us follow the 1,5 meters rule.

6. Ventilating and using outdoor spaces

We will place special attention on ventilation and ensuring quality air. The decision was made to constantly measure the quality of air and communicate it with attendees. Furthermore, we will demand special filters. If the weather will allow, we will execute the majority of social events outside.

7. Catering

Catering, known as a sort of Conventa trademark will be organised according to the regulations requested by the National Institute of Public Health. Every event, where conditions will be favourable, will be hosted outdoors. Hosting an event in August has its perks!

8. Personal protection and hygiene

A protective mask is by far the most effective measure one can take against the spread of the virus. Hence, masks will be used following the guidelines published by the National Institute of Public Health. Disinfectants, similarly to protective masks, have already become a household item of all events.

9. Attendee behaviour

This segment will be regulated by intelligible instructions, which will be highlighted at all points where attendees will be in touch with us. Moreover, all groups of attendees will be provided with infographics containing clear instructions. At the same time, our partners will make sure suitable information is provided at fam trips and accompanying activities.

10. SMART Conventa organisation

Conventa organisers have acquired the “Safe and healthy meetings and events” certificate. Our goal is to elevate the organisation a step higher and execute the pilot project as a good practice case. That includes intensively preparing all key stakeholders to safely execute the project.

We wish to adequately document the entire process of ensuring safety and set an example in the form of recommendations. In any case, we will continue to adapt to the situation and follow the instructions of the National Institute of Public Health.

Everyone, who will wish to attend the event in person, will have to meet the following requirements: 

1. Vaccination confirmation or confirmation of recovery from Covid-19 or
2. Alternatively, rapid antigen test will be made upon arrival
3. Quarantine in the event of a positive test at the event
4. Strict abiding the rules of “Safe and healthy meetings and events” certificate, issued by the Slovenian Convention Bureau