The COVID-19 pandemic has substantially impacted the event rentals space. New restrictions are forcing companies to prepare more adequately. It’s sometimes harder to thrive with heavier regulations put in place. On top of that, many event attendees are very cautious of attending events. This leaves event rental professionals with the monumental task of making customers feel safe.
How are event rentals, sanitation operators, and venues planning to instill confidence among their customers? There are many ways, and we’ll explore them here, today. We expect event rentals to focus more on ways to limit the spread of COVID-19 and limit the pandemic’s impact on their businesses in 2022. This post will show you how COVID-19 has impacted the event rental industry and how many are currently responding.
Event Rentals and the COVID-19 Pandemic
Businesses are receiving more modifications to orders and cancellations of equipment rentals than ever before. Lockdowns, quarantine, and social distancing across the country have brought about challenges in the event industry. Now the event professionals have a huge task to rebuild their attendees’ confidence and ensure they’re comfortable enough to attend events and even interact. As 2022 continues, expect event rental companies to implement more strategies to survive.
We’ve found a good list of some of these ideas, HERE!
How Are Event Venues Currently Responding to COVID-19?
In many places, event rental businesses have started reopening. However, some are struggling to find their footing as they determine new operating parameters to respond to COVID-19 appropriately. Here’s are a few challenges facing event rental businesses.
Adhering to the Constantly Changing Social Distance Standards
Adhering to social distance restrictions means that event sites have to increase the size of their venues or prepare for alternative floor plans to ensure the tables stay six feet apart. Some companies are going the extra mile to ensure guests maintain social distance. This will have an effect on how you place equipment during events. Be sure to stay in constant contact with your event site coordinators.
Reducing the Number of Guests Means Fewer Event Rentals
Expect event sites to adhere closely to capacity guidelines to ensure their guests maintain social distancing. One way event organizers are meeting the “social distancing standard of the day”, is to simply have fewer guests. One example of this is: many couples are having weddings that include only immediate family. Reducing guest counts is becoming more common. Some do it to limit the chances of guests being exposed to coronavirus.
While it may be safer, this trend of fewer guests is also saving people money. It may not go away very quickly. This mentality is a small example of a larger trend. Event venues, planners, and private individuals are scaling back ‘party size’ in many sectors.
Event venues may be hosting more frequent (but smaller) events in 2022. Plan your inventory wisely.
Washing and Sanitizing Hands and Carrying Out Temperature Checks
People have been advised to wash their hands more frequently and more reminders about keeping clean are everywhere. In response, equipment rental suppliers have been providing the tools to ensure proper hand hygiene at events. We saw a demand in 2020 and 2021 for handwash sinks that was unbelievable. Manufacturing has started to level out, and having additional inventory available will be key to meeting high expectations.
Apart from providing event attendees with disinfectants, event sites now have to carry out temperature checks. New standards ensure all the attendees have ‘normal’ temperatures before they start the event.
All of these things, while helping keep crowds safer, take more time. These new protocols may have an impact on how/when your technicians can service events.
Event Rentals Ensuring Sanitation: What to Expect in 2022
Times have really changed. This means that event rental companies have to up their game to ensure the safety of their customers while still striving to grow. With most places now allowing events to take place, one thing is for sure, having meetings and socializing outdoors in an open-air setting are now preferred. Event rental businesses are expected to take extra precautions by ensuring proper sanitation standards to ensure safety and rebuild event confidence. Here’s what to expect more from the event rental industry in 2022.
Increase the Availability of Test Sites
Expect more COVID testing sites in 2022. These sites could mean more business for your rental operation, as all remote testing sites will need access to clean water and restrooms.
Focus More on Cleaning and Disinfecting
In 2022, washing and sanitizing rental inventory is priority number one. Obviously, you clean and disinfect your sinks and restrooms daily, but don’t stop there. The new standard is regular disinfecting of products such as furnishings, tables, chairs, tents, and any other equipment you may rent. Event professionals will have greater attention to the sanitization of event venues and food preparation. This may include expanding janitorial services, including more handwashing trailers in the event space, and ongoing communication to help the invited guests maintain sanitation. Ensuring proper disinfection is an excellent way for event rentals to ensure that health and safety measures are met and even exceeded.
Connecting With Fellow Event Rental Professionals and Sanitation Companies Online
It’s time to connect with the people involved in the industry. Talking to each other and sharing what you can do to ensure the business, staff, and customers are safe. This will help event our industry appropriately deal with COVID-19.
Connecting online is a great way to see what’s happening in the event rental sector. Social media provides a great way to share the challenges encountered in the sanitation business.
Prepare and Thrive Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
Life has started moving on. Portable sanitation operators have to remain vigilant in ensuring up-to-date safety, cleaning protocols, and infection control. As event rental companies struggle to find a footing, we expect more operating parameters to help respond to COVID-19. Despite gathering restrictions, greater attention to sanitation will help event rentals prepare and adequately thrive. Contact Satellite Industries today to learn more about how our portable sanitation products can help your next event.