Designing Safe and Inventive Exhibition Spaces

October 19, 2020

Looking for way to keep your exhibit spaces inviting and warm, yet safely designed? With innovative designs, you can still create a beautiful space with safety and function top of mind. To successfully plan a safe environment, follow these tips:

Facilitate movement through design.

Promoting socialization while safely distancing will be an obstacle for planners, though not impossible. For good measure, limit the number of attendees on the floor with extended hours, timed entrances and personal appointments. Both physical and mental cues will help attendees flow through the trade booths and utilize designated seating. Incorporate dividers, planters and stanchions to enable social distancing and create semi-private spaces. Inside booths, be sure to designate one entry and one exit point to maximize flow. For a greater sense of safety, include plenty of hand sanitation stands and floor decals reminding attendees to practice social distancing.

Utilize technology.

The technological innovations and design adjustments we’ve seen over the last few months have been nothing short of amazing and have helped planners get back to business during COVID-19. The industry is temporarily focused on offering events with limited in-person attendees, in accordance with local guidelines, and more hybrid-style virtual attendees.

Therefore, it’s important to engage and interact with not only those in-person at the venue, but those joining virtually as well. To do so, integrate live chats and polls so those at home are able to actively participate. Pairing comfortable chairs with individual power will create a truly owned space for each attendee. Utilizing individual power hubs will ensure attendees remain in one seat for the entire event and reduce touches on multiple surfaces.

Prioritize comfort.

Every attendee will have a different comfort level, so it’s important to create a calming environment to ensure attendees feel safe and comfortable as we return to live events. Use greenery and airy drapes to enhance the look and create a warmer booth space.

“Entering an event space is very similar to entering a grocery store, except our industry has the benefit of being able to design every engagement as a controlled environment. We can control attendance, attendee flow and design for social distancing,” said Dan Steiner, vice president, Enterprise Risk Management, Freeman. “This may sound like a challenge, but our designers view it as an opportunity – both for creativity of design as well as integration of technology.”

When possible, provide seating arrangements, design layout and check-in policies well in advance of events to allow attendees to thoroughly review and prepare. With open and clear communication, attendees will feel your commitment to a safe environment.

Whether you’re looking for ways to create a warm environment, or embrace the hybrid-event trend, make your next event a unique and safe experience with these COVID-19 design tips. 

 

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Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.    Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.   The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.    MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.     MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.