With the government allowing events with 50% capacity or 100 people, organisers are being forced to ask the big question like everyone else. What does all of this mean? What will the events industry evolve from here on? Experts are unanimous that the live events industry will have to ready itself for a long haul to recovery in a post-pandemic world and will require players to adapt to the new normal—or simply reimagine the industry. “The events industry is already in the ICU. It will take at least Q2 of 2021 for some normalcy to return, if there is a vaccine,” said Abbas, who is also founder and MD of experiential marketing agency Encompass (now Geometry Encompass). While online events can be organised at the fraction of the cost, the experience remains a challenge. “Any event that cost crores, can now be done is a few lakhs, but the experience is not there… the intangible human emotion of being with people, the serendipity of bumping into someone will be missing,” added Abbas. The latest latest guidelines from the ministry of home affairs (MHA) only allows 100 people to attend any event with proper social distancing and safety norms in place, which makes organisers’ life that much more difficult.

(Economic Times)