Movie theaters are getting creative to lure customers back, and event organizers can learn from their strategies. For example, one company has offered promotions like including a margarita with a movie ticket and holding “daddy-daughter” date night events. Ben Deighton, general manager of marketing for Reading Cinemas in Australia, said his cinemas have started offering a knitting club. “We just started knitting sessions .. and knitting clubs come in and watch a movie and knit,” he said. Another theater, Cinepolis, launched “Self-care Sundays,” in which patrons receive gold eye masks and a small popcorn when they purchase a Event Booking.
Mask mandates are dropping — but some event attendees will continue to feel most comfortable masking up. Meetings Net shared a few tips on how to prevent mask-shaming at your events, like continuing to update a “safety protocols” section on your website. In the code of conduct you send to patrons, note that harassment will not be tolerated and that all attendees should respect each other’s personal safety choices. It’s also a good idea to keep masks at the registration desk for those in need.
Keep health and safety in mind when considering space. If you know people like to hang out in a certain lounge, set up pods with space between the seats so small groups can feel comfortable talking.
Add relaxation to the agenda. If you’re hosting an intense conference, expect people will be tired and build in offerings like chair massages and aromatherapy.