It’s no exaggeration that each and every industry was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, with the events industry being one of the worst affected.
Thankfully, with the relaxing of restrictions, events are making an exceptional comeback - with a welcomed transition from digital events to in-person events that you can actually get dressed up and leave the house for!
But how have events changed? And have they changed for the better?
How have events changed?
Ever since Covid-19 threw a spanner in the works, the events industry has been forced into making drastic changes; from reducing capacity to the debate of whether an indoor or outdoor venue is safer, and making sure that attendees feel safe enough to even attend!
Whilst we’ve loved our virtual events - such as a virtual wine tasting by Paso Primero, plenty of virtual networking for the J&PR team and virtual training with a number of clients - we’ve appreciated getting back to ‘normal’ with face-to-face meetings and networking events filling our calendars.
We’ve been reminded that the interaction and connection that you feel with a physical event is tough to replicate online - no matter how much we may have needed them to during numerous lockdowns.
What’s going on in Shropshire and Telford?
Whilst a majority of national events have returned over the last few months, it’s our local events we love the most! Here’s what’s caught our attention...
The Oktoberfest festival is one of those annual occasions that definitely needs to be experienced firsthand. As two of our clients, Chrisbeon and PC Net, were involved with this year’s event, directors Rhea and Kirsty couldn’t resist making an appearance - it wasn’t all work and no play though!
The team also can’t wait to pay a visit to the Market Drayton Winter Fair, an event that’s been bringing joy to the local community for a number of years. The event focuses their efforts on supporting independent small businesses, which is so important after these businesses have faced 18 months of closures and restrictions.
We can’t wait to see what else is planned for the build up to Christmas!
J&PR and our event clients
Since our first event contract for Cosford Air Show in 2009, we’ve known this was the right field for us.
We’ve gone on to successfully manage the PR, social media and the on-site press office for a number of events, including; Newport Show; Shropshire Show; Shrewsbury Grand Prix; Wrekin Riders BMX Club rounds of the British BMX Series and Staffordshire County Show. We also assist clients in celebrating larger events, such as the Queen’s visit to Shropshire for her Diamond Jubilee and make up part of the social media team at the Shrewsbury Folk Festival.
From the minute the idea is born to the closing of an event and of course the post-event publicity, the J&PR team work alongside event organisers, not only for promotion but to ease the workload of the committee, acting as an extra pair of hands; from press officers on the day of an event to organising photographers and journalists to meeting and greeting sponsors and stakeholders.
What about when the unexpected happens?
Every so often, like when we’re thrown into a nationwide lockdown, for example, we put on our ‘crisis comms’ hats; supporting our clients through the good and the bad.
Crisis communications aren't only necessary for our events, which we learned in March of 2020, but they have needed our support more than ever over the past 18 months.
Shropshire’s beloved West Mid Showground received our support during the devastating duo of massively damaging flooding followed by the Covid-19 pandemic. We are now proud to be working alongside them on their firework show making a return in November, managing the PR and social on their behalf.
For all of our event-management clients, we are there every step of the way.
Do you need a helping hand with your PR and social media for your forthcoming event? Get in touch by emailing Kirsty@jandpr.com.
