To Pivot or Not to Pivot: The Million Dollar Question for the Live Event Industry
It’s been 10 weeks since our first event cancelation related to COVID 19, 73 days to be exact. We are no different than any other Meeting and Event Planning Companies out there in that we have lost pretty much all of our business for 2020. We had to make quick financial decisions to keep our company afloat and don’t intend on having income for at least 12 months. “Financial relief” is not going the way we had anticipated. It’s been a weird, unexpected, and frustrating road to travel.
The saving grace is we are PLANNERS! In our everyday jobs, we have to creatively problem solve It’s in our DNA. We don’t know one Meeting Planning Company that hasn’t thought that they need to pivot. Naturally, we immediately considered a pivot to Virtual Event Planning. Sure, why not?! We plan live events, why can’t we just pivot to Virtual Event Management? As it is currently going, we won’t be back to doing events “how we used to” until late 2021 or 2022. So yeah, I guess this is what we do now!
We at Bash Creative agree that Virtual Event Planning is certainly an interesting alternative to live events. We now have to redefine our value, learn a whole new language, step into content production where we didn’t before. Let’s not forget, we still have to factor in Shelter In Place! It definitely doesn’t feel like a natural pivot for any of us.
So, the question remains... To pivot or not to pivot?
We at Bash Creative have decided NOT to pivot. While we are not the experts on “how to plan events during COVID 19,” we are quickly becoming experts on how to keep your company afloat in an uncertain time. We believe in our brand, our integrity, our people, and our skill sets. A pivot shouldn’t be necessary for our survival. Instead, we have expanded our offerings. Because if you simplify what our traditional offerings are for live events, we are fantastic at logistics, amazing project managers, super creative problem solvers, and wizards at stretching a budget. All of these skills are transferable in so many ways! We just may not have all of the resources needed. So we decided to reach out and connect with our vendors, our colleagues, and our competitors to come together. We are offering them all the same thing, what’s mine is yours. Our resources, our connections, our creative minds, and anything else you can think of...we will offer. In return, we ask that you do the same. Because TOGETHER we are stronger. Together we can create strategy and options you would never do on your own. Together we can guide our clients through this crazy landscape leading them back to live events as soon as it is safe to execute them. Many companies still have a need and budget but are just lost or overwhelmed.
Over the last 10 weeks, 73 days, something has become incredibly clear... The Event Industry will survive this! We are comprised of some of the hardest working, most resilient, creative thinking individuals. This is our time to shine. We have to come together, lift each other up, partner, and be primed for the upswing. Because let me tell you, there WILL be an upswing. Humans were not meant to be apart. Around the globe, humans have been finding creative ways to keep in touch and be “together.”
So we will come back with a vengeance. We just have to still be standing to be able to do so.
Looking for a partner to help you pivot your live event program?
Bash Creative is an event planning company that specializes in incredible gatherings that go beyond just great design. We’re known for teasing out smart goals for your event and serve up a stylish execution that will keep your guests buzzing. Located in San Francisco, but often found in New York, Austin, Chicago, Seattle, and beyond.