Online meeting trend a ‘hot topic’
Coronavirus won’t turn us into permanent Zoom converts and leave conference venues empty, those in the industry believe.
A Hamilton City councillor recently mused on whether climate change action and coronavirus would force a rethink of the future of venues such as Hamilton’s Claudelands Events Centre.
‘‘It’s a really hot topic and it’s a really important topic,’’ Conventions and Incentives NZ chief executive Lisa Hopkins said.
As Hamilton City councillors discussed climate change – on Zoom – deputy mayor Geoff Taylor wanted to see the organisation use more video conferencing ‘‘right now’’.
Councillor Martin Gallagher expected a change in attitudes about flying around the country for conferences.
‘‘But that will have huge implications, potentially, for Hamilton’s current plans through Te Waka to attract conferences to the city.
‘‘What does that mean potentially for the future of Claudelands? I’m not saying that as a negative. But . . . we’re going to have to rethink and work out exactly how that’s going to work.’’
Coronavirus started to affect the event industry from mid-February, a council report says. Still, city venues were tracking ahead of budget and hosted 125 conferences, meetings and functions from January to mid-March.
The overwhelming sense is that digital meetings wont replace face-to-face, Hopkins said. ‘‘It can be done and people are doing it and doing it very, very well. But it doesn’t suit everybody.’’
Physical meetings offer freer-flowing dialogue, connections and conversations that only happen when you’re in the same room, she said.
She’d expect to see more hybrid conferences in future, where digital avenues bring in extra speakers or participants. And digital conferences still require good broadband, time zones which match, and the right equipment.
The council’s venues, tourism, and major events boss agreed. ‘‘We see this [trend] as complementary rather than threatening,’’ Sean Murray said. ‘‘We think conference organisers will use technology to attract more overseas speakers and delegates to their events, especially as travel restrictions look set to continue for a while.’’