Special Events During COVID-19: 3 Ideas to Throw an Unforgettable (and Compliant!) Event During the Pandemic

Hosting events in 2020 has become a colossal challenge, and certainly has thrown us all for a loop. Weddings have been postponed, Sweet 16's have been cancelled, and events as we knew them have completely shifted. The entertainment industry has had to pivot tremendously - and quickly! No one was prepared for what this year had to throw at us. But with that, the special events industry has become more creative than ever before. With the ability to be creative in how we are presenting and executing our offerings as event professionals, events have been able to take place - just differently! 

So, how do you host the most memorable event of a lifetime during a pandemic? Here are a few ideas to give you a little inspiration to implement for when events are able to operate at our normal capacity again while also remaining CDC compliant:

A Party Greeter welcoming guests as they arrive into your event riddled with stunning decor will create dazzling memories!

When Hosting Your Event Outdoors: Have Photo Moments!
Having stations such as flower walls and photo scenes will encourage guests to be out and about throughout your  event, and walk around to see what your event has in store! Set up a stunning flower backdrop with a neon sign with a catchy saying to welcome your guests as they are arriving - maybe with a funky swing installed in front for a dynamic photo moment, a mini disco-ball room for some retro theme photos, or even stunning balloon garland draping throughout structures. Having multiple moments like this also supports social distancing as your guests will be spread out throughout the venue to roam and tour what your event has to offer.

Trendy lounge areas are also an amazing way to keep your guests floating naturally through the event space, have cute areas to take photos of themselves or with friends, and to relax while taking it all in! Scatter bean bag chairs, couches that fit your theme (victorian? Modern?), poufs, and furs with tables galore. Moveable seating options such as the bean bag chairs and poufs are extremely important to have when hosting an event during COVID-19 so that your guests can socially distance during their conversations. 

Our favorite photo moments are always with stunning Party Greeters or Stilt Walkers! From show girls, interactive characters to fit your theme, or models that can be themed to your specific event and color scheme, this will give guests a photo from your event to remember forever, and absolutely dazzle them upon arrival! Because really, who can say that they saw a 10 foot human at their event?! Or was greeted by an actual showgirl?! Having these entertainers roaming your event will encourage your guests to get up and moving continuing the flow of the event, and allow them to snag these photos to remember your event for a lifetime!

---

Strolling Tables with delicious desserts are a great way to keep your guests up and moving, and pass out goodies!

Unique and Eye-Catching Bars
Who doesn't love a good bar? Event professionals have gotten extremely creative over the recent years and bars are no longer limited to just cocktails. Maybe have a welcome bar with thoughtful things your guests may need to stay safe such as a mask, hand sanitizer, maybe heel protectors as well! Or you can have a bar dedicated to unique shots served by a flair bartender, a mashed potato bar for all the yummy carbo-loading you need, a dessert bar - but available throughout the night (because who wants to wait until after they eat dinner to have their favorite treats?! Not me!), and even a shirt press bar where you can order customized T-Shirts or Denim Jackets as a party favor!

One of the most unique options when it comes to bars will be a Strolling Table. A fully mobile table with a stunning performer in the middle, roaming the event and passing out all of the goodies you can dream of! From hors d'oeuvres, to a signature drink, maybe your favorite desserts, and more - a Strolling Table will definitely WOW your guests while encouraging them to roam about your entire event to snag what she's passing out! Plus, since she is fully mobile, the guests don't have to come to her - she can go to the guests!

The possibilities are truly endless, and having multiple bar options will give guests plenty to see and experience at your special event, so they will remain spread out, socially distant and COVID-19 friendly throughout the course of the night.

---

Having a stage show to entertain your guests during dinner is the perfect way to create amazing memories!

Evolutionary Entertainment and Stage Shows
Of course, no event is complete without the main attraction - a stellar show or amazing entertainers keeping your guests up and partying all night long! The pandemic has brought up concerns about how entertainers will be able to stay safe themselves, while also keeping their audience safe. Event professionals have gotten creative, and have been molding their offerings to fit this new world we are living in!

Our favorite socially distant entertainment are Fire Dancers. With a minimum space of 12 feet from the audience needed to safely perform this act, this entertainment option is not only naturally socially distant, but one of the most awe-inspiring acts to have at any kind of event! 

Another favorite socially distant option are Stilt Walkers. While they stand approximately 10ft in the air, this is another naturally socially distant act! Plus, as they roam around and interact with your guests, they will encourage everyone to get up and party with them, keeping the flow of the event going.

And of course, we cannot forget Aerialists! Another another naturally socially distant act that will amaze your guests?! Yes please! They soar through the sky and will dazzle any spectator around.

There are dozens of show options to choose from, and us event professionals have taken so much time and effort to adapt to options and offerings so that they are compliant with the CDC and state guidelines in light of this pandemic. Reach out to Fluxion Entertainment today to book any of your socially distant and compliant event needs by reaching us at [email protected], or filling out our contact form HERE.

The world has shifted, and we have to remain vigilant to finally defeat this virus. We are all learning and growing as new developments arise, and with options for socially distant events becoming more creative, the special events industry will hopefully come out strong on the other side of this year - only if we all follow the guidelines as set in place by the CDC and our state, and keep our creative ideas fresh and exciting. Mask up, wash your hands, remain socially distant from one another, and we will be back to normal in no time!

​---

*Hosting an event should always remain compliant to CDC recommendations and state laws at the time that the event is taking place. We recommend any event to have additional staff to be consistently sanitizing instillations between each use, enforcing mask wearing for all guests and staff, and enforcing social distancing. We also recommend having sanitizing stations readily available for guests.  It is also important to ensure that all vendors take CDC recommendations seriously as well to have a fully compliant event.

---