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How to Prepare for the Live Events Surge Post Lockdown

2020.05.14 Aggreko

How to Prepare for the Live Events Surge Post Lockdown

Covid-19 has taken a sledgehammer to the live events industry.

Social movement restrictions and lockdown rules have meant that the majority of live events have come to a standstill. 

For example, in February and March alone, more than 12,000 events in Germany were canceled, corresponding to a loss of around 30,000 working days for the self-employed service providers involved.

But, it’s a hiatus. 

It’s not because people don’t want to attend, it’s because they can’t right now. If you think about it, that’s not the worst position to be in. 

It’s undeniable that the industry has been one of the hardest hit. It was the first to take a big hit and will probably be among the last to be back in business. 

However, when it does, it’s going to be at full throttle. 

The Move to Digital 

The events industry has honed in on the need for diversification by way of virtual events and meetings. 

Platforms like Zoom have proved invaluable, there’s no doubt about that. But it’s too far of a stretch to believe that its adoption is going to permanently change the face of live events and meetings. Of course, the need for virtual events will always be there, but can they ever replace the buzz, creativity, and face-to-face social interaction of live events?

Preparing for the Live Events Surge

When the lockdown is lifted and the live events industry springs back to life, you need to be prepared. 

The standstill we’re experiencing right now will disappear and we’ll experience a new challenge: a surge.

Stadiums will be filling up. Concerts will be inundated with hopeful ticket buyers. Trade shows will be as popular as ever, as attendees crave face-to-face networking and interaction.

The question is, how prepared are you for the surge? 

Here’s a handy checklist for you:

Power Up Your Event

Investing in the right event power solutions is going to make or break your event’s success. Unexpected downtime can wreak havoc on the whole event, let alone the financials. 

The last thing events companies need right now is to cope with additional financial losses. Particularly avoidable ones.

Imagine a soccer match is in full swing and suddenly there’s a power cut. The cameras go off. The scoreboard goes blank. It would be a disaster. 

You need to make sure you have temporary event power solutions in place. These will make sure you have an airtight contingency plan that keeps your event running smoothly. 

The choices are wide, from renewable energy to battery storage systems. Or you can rent a generator. You will find a temporary power solution for your specific needs.

For example, we powered up the Glastonbury Festival using hybrid thermal-solar generators, combined with battery storage systems and energy management software. For the first time, our generators ran on hydrotreated vegetable oil, derived from a mix of 100 percent used vegetable oils and waste fats.

Keep it Cool (or warm)

Now picture a trade show running in the hottest month of the year. The air conditioning fails and your attendees are plunged into unbearable heat. 

That won’t happen with temporary air conditioning units in place. 

Similarly, if it’s cold outside, the last thing you want is attendees freezing if the heaters fail. You can keep temperatures just right with industrial heaters that are appropriate for inside or outside use - whatever you need.

Minimize Noise

Unwanted generator noise can be a headache for live events. Especially if you’re introducing temporary equipment or generator rental into the mix. 

Make use of the quieter, more efficient technology that’s on the market these days. Noise curtains can be installed on sites to minimize any unwanted noise you would get from your generator rental.

Keep Food and Beverages Edible

If you’re spending huge-scale money on catering, you need the chilling system to ensure its safety. 

If chilling units break down, you could be looking at a whole load of inedible food that wilts in the heat. Even if the outside temperatures are low, the time spent out of chilling may mean it doesn’t meet health and safety standards anymore. 

Of course, exactly what you need will depend on your project, location, and temperature requirements. 

Key Takeaways

  • The live events industry has taken a huge hit. However, it’s likely to be back with a very big bang and organizers will have to be prepared for a surge. 
  • Power up your events with temporary power solutions. One way is to rent a generator so you can avoid a disastrous loss of power mid-event. 
  • Keep temperatures just right with reliable air conditioning and heaters that make for comfortable and happy attendees and employees. 
  • Make sure your food and drinks stay fresh with top-of-the-range chilling units (don’t cut costs here). If food and drinks aren’t available due to equipment failure, you could have many people leaving your event. 
  • Lastly, adding temporary equipment into the mix can mean more wires to contend with. Choose a temporary power solutions company that can handle those logistics with expert ducting and cabling.

We can’t wait for the events industry to be up and running. But in the meantime, stay safe. 

Learn more about our solutions for the events sector

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