Vancouver CC Envisions Future of Safe Events with 'ReDesign'

As part of its efforts to prepare for the return of events, the Vancouver Convention Centre invited local businesses, event organizers and meeting planners to experience ReDesign, a live demonstration space exploring the future of safe events amidst a changing industry landscape. 

Created in collaboration with Levy Show Service and other industry partners, ReDesign presented an immersive experience for Vancouver’s event professionals throughout last September highlighting how event aspects could evolve to be safer in consideration of COVID-19’s significant impact. Guests also had the opportunity to share their own innovations, ideas and feedback on how to enhance the overall event experience moving forward.

“This was an exciting opportunity to collaborate with our partners and collectively work towards innovative solutions to help our industry move forward and at the same time begin to earn trust around the hosting of meetings and events,” says Craig Lehto, General Manager of the Vancouver Convention Centre. “When the time is right, and it is safe and appropriate to resume events, it is critical that we and our partners are fully prepared to welcome guests back into our facility confidently. With ReDesign, we took a proactive step to explore what events at that time will look like and how they can function so that our clients are able to host meaningful experiences with the assurance that decisions are informed by safety as a foundational priority.”

The ReDesign demonstration space featured an array of event-focused innovations, touching on different aspects of event design, planning, logistics and execution. Contributing partners from across Canada’s meetings and events industry included Encore Canada, Bell Canada, Loungeworks, Centerplate, BEST Service Pros. and Riggit Services Inc. From exploring new event technology that would allow for improved delegate management to adapting catering processes for safer food and beverage options, ReDesign presented an array of concepts informed by extensive industry insight around every aspect of event management.

You can view an overview of the ReDesign show floor by watching this video. For a virtual walkthrough, see our '360 Experience' here.

Since completion, the Convention Centre has worked with attendees and partners to compile feedback and host focus groups to determine top learnings for hosting safe events successfully.

Even with reduced attendance and stronger measures around health and safety, in-person events can still provide immense value for businesses by creating opportunities for attendees to engage in intimate, controlled environments:

• With a carefully designed floorplan and new event technology, events such as tradeshows that are larger in scope can still provide guests the opportunity to interact with exhibitors in a meaningful way.
• Virtual and hybrid events are highly customizable and effective. The more options you can provide to delegates to create an experience that makes them feel comfortable, the better.
• When it comes to food and beverage service, adapting processes to be safer does not have to result in a reduction of quality, freshness or experience.

After extensive consultation with health authorities and other partners, the Convention Centre has implemented a comprehensive safety plan to help inform the execution of ReDesign and other business activity held at the facility. Recently the facility also earned the Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC) STAR™ accreditation for outbreak prevention, response, and recovery, further strengthening its commitment to the health and safety of its staff, clients, and guests.