Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/1377370
ASSOCIATIONINSIGHT Portable Sanitation Association International News BIWEEKLY EDITION MAY 26, 2021 Page 24 I'll Be Seeing You…continued from page 23 Overall, the survey numbers offer some encouraging signs for a live-events industry that lost an estimated $30 billion in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving many venue operators scrambling for federal assistance, adapting their business models and, in some cases, closing their doors permanently. Nationally, respondents said mask requirements (59 percent), reduced crowds (57 percent) and social distancing (53 percent) were the most important COVID-19 precautions they'd like to see at events. Among those who would attend an in-person event today, those precautions were viewed as less important. Only 38 percent of those respondents said mask requirements would be an important factor in their decision to attend an event. Looking across the spectrum of national results, the most notable geographic trend was a lower percentage of respondents ready for in-person events in large metros along the coasts, such as San Francisco (29 percent), Boston (31 percent) and Washington, D.C. (32 percent). The highest rates of people ready for in-person events were in Jacksonville, Florida (73 percent), Wichita, Kansas (67 percent) and Orlando, Florida (63 percent). Recent CDC guidelines also outlined the freedoms that vaccinated adults can enjoy. So, it almost goes without saying that those who are vaccinated are also eager to return to in-person meetings. Vaccines are another key to safely bringing us back to normal. My Prediction Looking at the success of the PSAI April Virtual Education Event and the current popularity of the PSAI virtual roundtables, experiencing these formats in person will be highly coveted. Nut & Bolts is going to be a great place for that, along with our new Train the Trainer course, some hands-on equipment demos, speakers, and lots of time to party with friends old and new. As for the upcoming Convention and Trade Show in 2022, I have heard loud and clear that exhibitors want to return. As for attendees, certainly those who are spending a good bit of money on equipment and supplies will want to attend in order to ensure they are getting the best products for their companies ordered early in the season. Our show is the first aimed exclusively at portable sanitation in 2022. Sure, there could be another round of COVID-19, and we certainly expect additional vaccines will be needed. Precautions are just a new fact of life. So barring anything far worse than what has yet been projected, the shows must go on! Yes, educational meetings done virtually can be useful, but the advantages of in-person meetings are strong for a big reason. Connections. When I hear people saying, "We can't wait to be back," I know that sentiment goes well beyond wanting to visit with sellers at the trade show or learning from a live speaker at a breakout session. Simply put, we just want to see our industry friends again. We'll do our best to keep everyone safe and provide an awesome atmosphere to reconnect. So plan to join us this November and next February. You'll be glad you did. We'll be seeing you. And we can hardly wait! v Styles have changed since this PSAI roundtable, and it will be great to see everyone again.