As Covid restrictions across the UK slowly begin to ease and the prospect of a return to live events moves ever closer, the focus is firmly on safety.

So we’re thrilled to announce that we have launched new listings for safety suppliers on our micebook digital hub, in response to increased demand from planners for these services.

Agency and corporate buyers can now use the advance search function to search for services including Covid risk assessment, Covid testing, crowd safety and accessibility, crisis management and other health and safety services. Event safety suppliers can create a free profile on micebook or pay for an All Access premium profile.

“At this current stage of the global pandemic, we see testing as one of the key components to persuade audiences back to live events. We don’t underestimate the psychological effect of COVID-19 on the workplace and the mindset around the need for “safe” travel and venue journey design to reassure as best one can that event safety firmly includes testing processes and daily controls across the event experience,” said Neil Evans, director, Nteractive Consulting & Events.

“From an awareness and learning mindset of who to talk to and how to make live events as safe as possible from an industry and client experience perspective we think this an excellent resource.”

Simon Hambley, CEO at Strata added: “The level and extent to which testing is applied will very much depend on the event, client and location. From an agency perspective that means we need to be ready with all the solutions. Testing could involve simple temperature checks and health declaration or could be lateral flow tests for everyone.

“In the end it will be driven by the client and/or any government advice at the time of the event. And as we all know things change quickly. What’s important is that agencies understand the landscape they are operating in and are well prepared and resourced to carry out whatever is required.”

He added that Strata will be looking for safety experts to partner with, alongside the agency’s own processes that it has developed and continue to develop. “Right now we are focusing on smart tracing solutions and looking for partners in this area to strengthen our offering. As always the easier it is to find good quality partners the better.”

See our Event Safety Guide here.