Different companies and associations have been implementing programs to help bring back meetings to their hotels. The CEO of Wynn Resorts recently talked about creating safe zones. The California Hotel and Lodging Association just released its “Clean + Safe Guidance for Meetings and Events,” providing COVID-19 health safety protocols for California hotels as they prepare to reopen for individual meetings and events.
The Guidance incorporates recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the California Department of Public Health and Cal/OSHA and is aligned with CHLA’s guidelines for individual travel that was issued in April.
The 11-page Guidance focuses on planning ahead, enhanced communications and adaptability as hotels support customization of “group” customers such as businesses, associations, religious events, charities and others. The standards include attendee arrival procedures, electronic registration, breaks for sanitation, increased use of presentation technology, use of multiple rooms for one meeting, same seating for attendees and non-contact, cashless transactions.
The Clean + Safe Guidance for Meetings and Events is available at www.calodging.com.
I read through the document and highly recommend something similar for your state association or even individual property. The recommendations span every part of the meeting planning process—from the initial conversation with the meeting planner to the actual meeting itself. Planning considerations, arrival considerations, cleaning protocols, meeting protocols, food service considerations, and vendor/contractor considerations are all addressed. The document finishes off with some basic COVID-19 prevention tips.
Much of what is recommended has to do with minimizing contact with objects and social distancing. Be sure to check out this document’s recommendations and incorporate them into your best practices.
