An accepted practices guide for convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and destination management organizations (DMOs) is the newest release from the Events Industry Council’s APEX COVID-19 Recovery Task Force. 

Tackling the subject of best practices for safer meetings and events, the new guide maps the event journey in a destination; provides key planning questions for CVBs/DMOs and event organizers; provides crisis communications resources and a worksheet; discusses the transforming role of CVBs/DMOs, convention centres and major venues during COVID-19; links to global and regional pandemic communication resources; and offers a look inside CVB/DMO practices.

“Destination management organizations (CVBs) will continue to play a pivotal role in our recovery and remain an essential voice in this conversation as industry professionals across the globe seek to better understand the safety protocols, alliances and external factors needed to host in-person and hybrid events to rebuild our industry,” said Amy Calvert, CEO, Events Industry Council (EIC).

“This guide is the result of a global collaboration,” said David Kliman, CMM, president of The Kliman Group and chair of the Destinations working group. “We’re grateful to the more than 50 global destinations whose practices and policies were reviewed, summarized and curated for inclusion as part of this most recent resource.”

Previous releases of EIC accepted practices guides and supporting materials include Meeting and Event Design, Health and Safety for Hotels, Workforce and Wellness, and Travel and Transportation.

Other key supporting materials include EIC Principles for Recovery, Code of Conduct, Key Questions for Event Organizers, Air Travel Planning and Know Before You Go.

The APEX COVID-19 Business Recovery Task Force is led by co-chairs Michael Dominguez, president and CEO, Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI), and Kristin Horstman, senior director, Strategic Events, Salesforce.

The task force includes representatives from across the many sectors and regions of the global events ecosystem. It provides a voice in planning, preparing and participating in the industry’s recovery and its future as well as amplifying the story of the industry’s economic and social impact as advocates for the industry.