Clearer rules on B2B events welcomed; could tamp down rising anxiety

Singapore

THE move to shrink attendance capacities for live performances and business-to-business (B2B) events has been generally supported by event organisers, who are keen to avoid sparking Covid-19 clusters at events.

It could even help tamp down anxiety that had started to rise since Friday, when tighter social gathering rules were announced but no mention was made of B2B events. Companies said that clients felt uneasy about the new clusters and began cancelling or scaling down events during this period.

On Tuesday, the multi-ministry taskforce said that events would be allowed to host a maximum of 100 people without pre-event testing (PET) and 250 with PET.

Although the move is an abrupt reversal of the increase to 750 pax with PET and 250 without PET that kicked in on April 24, organisers said the short time period between changes was a blessing in disguise. With limited time to plan large events, most of their B2B events lined up for the next month are still hybrid or virtual, with on-site attendance of 100 or less.

Aux Media Group managing director Bryan Koh said his company has been maintaining a conservative approach, and its four upcoming hybrid and virtual events are well within the new guidelines. However, the team is in discussions with its clients, who may wish to tighten some processes or capacity to stay on the safe side.

He said: "Organisers and concert promoters are doing their due diligence and not taking the opportunity to (maximise capacity) every time the government loosens a bit, which is a good thing because things can change quickly."

Kris Vimal, Singapore chief executive at MacGyver Consultants International, said his clients will be able to move forward with their planned hybrid events, as there will be no more than 50 to 100 people at each.

"I do think keeping it within 100 pax is safe. We are able to control human traffic easily on-site," he said.

"If we come together and do our part to get the number to zero cases again, then we will be able to host bigger events."

Unearthed Productions chief executive Adam Piperdy agreed: "I believe this is a necessary step to prevent an even bigger issue in the coming weeks. Public health and safety is a priority for event organisers and we would not want to risk organising an event that may spark off another cluster."

Aloysius Arlando, president of the Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers, said the recent developments are a reminder of the situation's continued volatility: "The tightening of safe management measures is a difficult but necessary step to help tackle and stop the spread of Covid-19. And we stand ready to play our part to ensure that Singapore is a safe destination for event organisers and participants, both locally and internationally."

Even before the latest announcement, event organisers could sense worry among their clients. Mr Piperdy received a few cancellation and postponement requests since Monday, and last week, Fractal Events saw its six planned hybrid events for one client reduced to five small events without streaming and one event with highlights streamed online. One health talk was cancelled.

Still, that is not to say that all events within the permitted capacities will be going ahead. Shortly after the announcement on Tuesday, Fractal Events director Surinder Mastana received requests to cancel or postpone two of its six events this month. Although they would have hosted no more than 250 pax, the reduction of group sizes to five per table from eight would have required additional space (and accompanying costs) for at least one event.

Mr Mastana noted that June's business could also be in jeopardy: "We are quick to control, but not as quick to release (the restrictions). It leaves us in limbo for the next quarter."

Juliana Mattar, managing director of communications and creative agency Motion, said that she feels anxiety creeping into the industry, reminiscent of the circuit breaker period in 2020, but urged fellow industry players not to panic.

"We are one of the safest and most regulated cities in the world to live in right now. We are better equipped, physically, emotionally and mentally," she said.

"Of course, there will be a domino effect of reactions, but we have to stay the course and contour ourselves for the next few weeks. As a collective, we can get through this. We did last year, we can do it again."

READ MORE:

• Reverting to Phase 2 'unlikely to derail Singapore's recovery'
• Restaurants may see spate of cancellations with tighter cap on social gatherings
• Gym, hotel and tour operators say they'll take the hit in their stride
• Tighter Covid-19 curbs could hit retail, office Reits again