Daring to meet again
2022 was the year the world reopened for events. Pracsis organized its first large conferences since the beginning of the pandemic.
Slowly, and then all at once, in-person events have become a thing again! After two years of meeting online to prevent coronavirus transmission, our clients started greenlighting physical meetings, including some pretty big ones. First, in March, when Pracsis organized the 9th European Summit of Regions and Cities, in Marseille, for the European Committee of the Regions, which had more than 2000 attendees. And then in the autumn with the Covenant of Mayors Investment Forum for CINEA (DG ENER) and the EU Week of Regions and Cities (CoR again). In between, Pracsis also organized more than a dozen smaller physical meetings for its various projects, including CASP (Coordinated Activities on the Safety of Products), EURAXESS, the Southeast Asia IP Helpdesk, and SEI Forums.
One thing most of these events had in common was that in addition to the traditional in-person conference format, there was also a virtual component that allowed attendees to participate remotely. This was done through a variety of methods, such as video conferencing software, live streaming, and pre-recorded sessions. The incorporation of hybrid elements has allowed conferences to adapt to the restrictions and safety measures put in place to prevent the spread of the virus, while still providing attendees with the opportunity to network, learn, and engage with others in their industry. It has also allowed for a wider audience to participate, as some attendees may not have been able to travel to the conference location due to health concerns or travel restrictions. Overall, the incorporation of hybrid elements has been a necessary adaptation for conferences to continue to be held during the pandemic. It remains to be seen how long this approach will continue.
The return of the in-person conference has also meant that Pracsis could demonstrate its commitment to sustainability by incorporating ISO 20121 standards into the organization of all our events. We have implemented a number of measures to minimize the environmental impact of our events, including reducing waste and energy use, using environmentally-friendly materials and suppliers, and promoting sustainable transportation options for attendees. We have also put systems in place to monitor and measure the sustainability performance of our events, in order to continuously improve our practices. In addition, we have engaged with local communities and stakeholders to ensure that our events are socially responsible and have a positive impact on the communities in which they are held. Overall, our commitment to the ISO 20121 standards has helped us to create events that are not only successful and enjoyable for attendees, but also have a minimal environmental footprint.