Let’s Go Somewhere

By Amy Coward

Events are back! Every day I get an email or see a post that a theatre is reopening, ball parks are welcoming fans and restaurants and stores are back to full capacity.

In the past year, we’ve all had to be creative if we wanted to experience anything outside our home. We’ve eaten dinner in a “bubble” at local restaurants, we’ve participated in drive-through graduations, we’ve watched people marry on street corners – all staying at a safe physical distance away from others.

In my home, along with the rest of the world, I “Zoomed” morning, noon and night to participate in conferences, happy hours and chat sessions.

One thing COVID-19 taught us all was how important connection is. We longed for gatherings with other family members, friends and professional colleagues, and regardless of how we accomplish that from now on, we know it’s important. Relationships are important.

For some, virtual events and engagements may still prove to be the most efficient and appropriate method of gathering. Think retirement homes, geographically dispersed work teams, students with disabilities, frail patients. Remote meetings, functions and appointments with professionals will still be a part of our lives. We’ve just simply become more comfortable with it (or are at least trying).

For others, in-person events will be needed. Face-to-face meetings, recognition events, conferences, fundraisers and celebrations. The value of gathering people together to interact and to network cannot be overstated.

For those of us who plan events, this is joyful news. The act of bringing people together for a common cause and having them experience fun or be productive or help a cause has a lot of satisfaction. And if we do our jobs right, we take the headaches out of the event for the host.

I’m personally excited about re-entering the world of in-person events, seeing people in 3-D, dressing up and admiring someone’s whole outfit (and not just their shirt), maybe getting a hug. I’m ready and I hope you are.

Let’s go to an event and appreciate every moment. A COVID-19 lesson for all of us.

Amy Coward is president and founder of AC Public Relations, a communications and events firm in Columbia, SC. When she is not managing the madness of her business, she is writing, running and traveling.