A Recent Hybrid Event Hosted By North American Blueberry Council (NABC) and U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHABC) Offers a Glance of What May Become the New Normal for Meetings for the Foreseeable Future. It was a privilege to welcome members of the blueberry industry from all over the country at Innovate 2021: USHBC + NABC Tech Symposium and Fall Meetings held at The Salem Convention Center earlier in the fall. The four-day hybrid event featured both in-person and virtual keynotes, activities, giveaways and celebrations of the blueberry industry. Not only was the event a tribute to the hard work and dedication of industry leaders, but it was also an important opportunity for members to reconnect (in-person and/or virtually) and discover what's next for blueberries. Event organizers opted to make it a hybrid event, so attendees could participate in-person (with limited capacity) or from the comfort of their own home, office or field. The Salem Convention Center is only one of a handful of event facilities in Oregon that has the technology and resources to offer the kind of hybrid events the organization needed. As we look to the future, we anticipate hybrid meetings to be part of the “norm” so we can accommodate both attendees ready to return to in-person events, as well as guests who need more time to feel comfortable while gathering. Learn more about our hybrid event packages. The event was packed with education, inspiration, and opportunities to tackle blueberry industry business. According to organizers, the four-day event was a resounding success: 'Our recent event at the Salem Convention Center was a big success and received high marks from attendees thanks to their incredibly helpful staff and functional event spaces. We're happy to recommend the center to other event hosts!' In this post, we are sharing some photos and a recap of the event to give you an idea of how to meet safely. All images in this post are courtesy of the North American Blueberry Council (NABC). You can see the entire collection from the Fall Tech Symposium & Meetings by clicking here. Attendees who opted to participate in person were offered a special rate at the adjoining The Grand Hotel in Salem, Willamette Valley's most refined hotel, where they were welcomed in a modern and newly-renovated Deluxe Room or Suite featuring an inviting, classically appointed living area. A comfortable desk and high-speed WiFi made it easy for meeting attendees to catch up on work, email and engage in other productive activities. In-person meeting attendees had plenty of space to spread out and socially distance while moving through the Exhibitor Hall in our Willamette Foyer. Our beautiful Santiam Gallery on the first floor provided the perfect setting for the NABC Chair's Welcome Reception on the first day of the convention. The following morning meeting attendees were treated to a Welcome Breakfast & Keynote session in our 11,400 square foot Willamette Ballroom. Meeting attendees then participated in a series of break-out sessions and meetings that took place throughout the facility, before wrapping up the day at their Tech Happy Hour in the Willamette Foyer, where there were plenty of networking opportunities with presenters and vendors. Event organizers and presenters had unlimited support from our audio-visual team to assist with lighting, video presentations on huge screens, streaming services to virtual attendees, sound support, and artistic direction. Our on-site event coordinator and catering service staff stepped up with swift and speedy setup and breakdown of tables, chairs, centerpieces, linens, and more, allowing event organizers to move seamlessly from activity to activity. We worked to create as safe of a meeting environment as possible by following health and safety protocols like mandatory face coverings, hand sanitizing stations throughout the facility, an advanced air filtration system, and more. Learn about the health and safety efforts at The Grand Hotel in Salem,. Information on the Salem Convention Center's hygiene procedures. Our convenient downtown location as well as complimentary on-site covered parking made it easy for visitors to get out and explore the area, tour blueberry farms and more! Having the Grand Hotel in Salem adjoined to the Salem Convention Center was a major plus as attendees were able to take a break as needed so they could stay rested and productive throughout the day. The Salem Convention Center was grateful to host the USHBC + NABC Tech Symposium and Fall Meetings. We are open and ready to accommodate your next meeting - large or small. Click here to view some of our floor plans, or take a virtual tour to view the space online. Complete our Request for Proposal form or call us at 1-866-614-1900. You can also email us for more information
