COVID-19 may still be among us, but in-person events are ramping up again. From sporting events to concerts, event organizers have to prepare for what that process entails and how it impacts the guest experience.

The last two years have required a massive shift in the events industry, but that pendulum is about to swing back. Now, you have to ensure that your high-demand and large-attendance events are safe and meet your audience’s expectations. These tips can help you get there.

If you’re looking for other ways to improve the fan and guest experience, you should read our blog ‘5 Ways to Improve the Fan Experience.’

1. Keep COVID-19 in Mind Throughout the Planning Process

We’re in the midst of a COVID-19 surge in several U.S. states, which makes one thing especially clear: for in-person events, especially those where you anticipate a high number of attendants, safety has to remain the top priority.

For your planning process, that means keeping a close eye on the COVID-19 numbers in your area. Many organizers follow the county-level guidelines set by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention when deciding whether to require masks or even cancel a potential event.

The safety of your guests remains the top priority in this still-volatile environment. Build contingency plans that allow for your event to be postponed or for safety guidelines to be adjusted while minimizing possible disruption to your guests.

2. Simplify the Parking and Ticketing Processes

Ticketing and parking are consistently among the most frustrating aspects of any guest experience. Any complication here can induce stress, from tickets that cost more than anticipated to parking that is too far away from the venue, expensive, or simply difficult to find.

Simplifying this process is absolutely crucial. Options include a single check-out system in which guests can book tickets and parking together for a bundle price with no hidden fees or creating a system in which guests can plan their parking long before they arrive. The easier the planning process becomes for your guests, the more they’ll enjoy the actual event.

3. Diversify Your Food and Drink Vendor Options

We’ve all been there. You attend a game of your favorite team or a concert by your favorite band, and you get hungry or thirsty. Unfortunately, none of the options are appealing, and the lines are so long that even the best food couldn’t get you away from your seat because you’d never come back. The team might win, or the band might rock the venue, but this can ruin the guest experience regardless.

Solving this problem means diversifying your food and drink vendors and the options you have at your venue. The more stands you have, even if they’re small, the shorter the lines will be, and the happier your guests will become. You’ll need to closely manage your vendors, too, of course.

4. Help Your Guests Understand Where They Need to Go

Especially at high-demand events, the venue can get crowded quickly. Your guests will all need the bathrooms during the break, they’ll want some food at halftime, etc. The last thing you need is long lines of people who are making things worse by being confused about where they need to go.

To solve this issue, a clear wayfinding system is absolutely crucial. Your guests should know where to go at all times. Even details like average wait times for different spots can help direct them to areas with shorter lines.

Leverage Your Interactive Map to Manage High-Demand Events

Creating a positive guest experience for high-demand events can be challenging. Fortunately, some tools can be especially helpful in making it happen. Enter interactive maps, which can go a long way towards implementing all of the above tactics. You can:

  • Communicate safety guidelines and provide directions to your guests’ parking spots
  • Highlight food and vendor options to avoid clusters
  • Create a wayfinding network throughout your venue that guests can leverage on the phone

As high-demand event attendance picks up once again, it’s time to refine your guest experience strategy. When you’re ready to start, contact us to learn more about our interactive map platform today.