Opinion: Philly's Decision to Cancel All Public Events Until February 2021
Yesterday, social media was running wild after the announcement that Philadelphia has cancelled all large-scale events until February 2021, including the Philadelphia Marathon, the Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the Mummer’s Parade. I had many of my fellow event and hospitality industry connections and friends reach out to me with concern, and some in anger and misunderstanding as to how this decision could have been made. While I completely understand anger and confusion, especially when we do not have an idea as to when this virus will be over, I have also come to a place of calm acceptance and readiness for the uncertainty.
In March, when the quarantine was first in place, I was trying my absolute best to resist the notion that events ‘as we know it,’ were on pause. My career, my companies, and everything I have worked so hard for seemed to come to a screeching halt within one week. As I relayed to a friend this week in conversation, I struggled with my identity during that time.
Who was I if I was not keeping a full schedule of meetings, traveling from one city and state to another, and producing live events?
What did this mean for me—and my industry—moving forward?
What if all of my clients cancel?
What is my value if I’m not working, or making money?
It felt heavy, uncomfortable and crippling.
Over the last few months, I’ve not only come to understand just how important it is to keep our distance, socially—but exactly how much opportunity exists for virtual events and programs. From working with partners like TelcoWorks to pivot an event to virtual in the eleventh hour, to creating immersive virtual campaigns using a combination of social media, content creation and community building.
I have also used this time to prioritize myself and my family, for the first time in recent memory.
No matter how much we crave the experiences that have shaped us thus far—and believe me, I miss seeing people, networking, and running in to friends on the streets and in the airports more than I can express—I view this as 7 months’ worth of chances to innovate in uncertain times.
To my event and hospitality family: I feel your pain, and I understand that people are at the center of everything we do. The future may not look like the past, but we have been given a blank canvas to paint the future that we want to see. I implore you not to take it for granted, and to reimagine what creating connection means. I also implore you to take the time for yourself, and allow yourself to feel balance. To feel boredom. To feel discomfort and uncertainty, and to allow it to propel you forward.
To Philly, our chosen home: We will come out stronger on the other side, and this is an opportunity to build a city that we are even more proud to showcase when travel is possible again.
Sending love, and always here to ideate, connect, and speak. Until we meet in person again, make sure to socially distance, wear a mask, and take care of yourself and others.
Beth