Phoenix Arizona meetings and conventions
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Phoenix Arizona meetings and conventions

Convention Photography

Phoenix Arizona meetings and conventions

Phoenix, Arizona a great place for meetings and conventions!

Phoenix Arizona a place for meetings and conventions. I am a Corporate Convention Photographer and love covering meetings, traveling and photographing people having a great time. Also the awesome clients I have been lucky to be with for many years.

How do I start this blog? There are so many places in the country but I can say that Phoenix Arizona is in the top 10 for meetings and conventions.

Downtown Phoenix is where meetings and conventions come together.

Close the airport and easy to get downtown, is the Phoenix Convention Center.

My first meeting in Phoenix was mid 1990’s. The group was TCAA (Truck Cap & Accessory Association). Phoenix Convention Center was not what it is today. Mike Dwyer, CAE (hired me to be the official convention photographer for this association), he is now Chief Executive Relationship Officer for Association Headquarters, and serves on the AH Office of the President and a partner of Association Headquarters.

Phoenix convention center a place for meetings and conventions

Phoenix Convention Center
©Joseph Rodriguez | proimagesphoto.com

Phoenix Convention Center meeting space breakdown.

The total space is 900,000 sq ft, Exhibit hall floor offers 502,500 sq ft and breakout/meeting space is 150,000 sq ft. I do have to mention the ballroom, with 45,000 sq ft., you can easily pack any large event or dinner. This a great place that Phoenix has for meetings and conventions.

My last job was in January 2020 for Vision Source. I was providing headshots for a 3-day meeting. What I liked about this location is the walking distance to just about anything you need.

Hyatt Regency was the my hotel while on assignment, which is across the street from the convention center. You can easily walk to the Arizona Center Shops and entertainment can be found at CityScape that is about two blocks from the Hyatt hotel. If you are like me and like to eat healthy you are in luck. A new Fry’s Food full-service grocery store which is just a couple blocks from the Phoenix convention center opened when I was there. Also, there are so many places to eat that are close by.

CityScape a downtown Phoenix mix use development for shops and entertainment.

CityScape Phoenix, AZ Downtown
©Joseph Rodriguez | proimagesphoto.com

Sporting Event Venues nearby

Chase Field home of the Arizona Diamond backs is always a favorite place and the Phoenix Suns Arena home of the Phoenix Suns, also is just a short walk from the Phoenix convention center. MLB spring training camps in Phoenix, no pun intended, is a home run for any group that wants to take their members to watch a baseball game.

JW MARRIOTT PHOENIX DESERT RIDGE RESORT & SPA

The drive from the airport is a nice scenic ride and well worth the time.

A luxury experience that makes this a AAA 4-Diamond JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona is a place for meetings and conventions.

7×24 Exchange is a great group to be associated with and Brandon Dolci, CMP Senior Director of Conferences has been hiring me since the early 2000’s to travel the nation with his them and other groups he manages.

JW MARRIOTT PHOENIX DESERT RIDGE RESORT & SPA “perfect for any meeting or convention”
©Joseph Rodriguez | proimagesphoto.com

Over the years, the resort has upgraded areas and that always improves and delight the guests. A google search said this resort offers about 212,500 sq ft of meeting space and with 950 hotel rooms, five pools, a river, a spa and two championship golf courses, (I have played the courses and they are always in the best shape and beautiful desert views.)

Convention Photography of attendees during break another great place for meetings and conventions

Convention Photography of attendees during break by sign at the JW Marriott Resort in Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & SPA

There is plenty of walking and jogging areas that the resort has mapped out. The Desert Ridge Marketplace has shops and restaurants. A 5-minute car ride or take the resort shuttle that leaves every hour. Check the hotel for specific times. If you like to walk, it is about 20-minutes. Great exercise in the dry desert air.

ARIZONA BILTMORE, A WALDORF ASTORIA RESORT, MEETINGS AND CONVENTIONS THAT HAVE HISTORY.

Facts and history of this amazing place.

Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, AZ
©Joseph Rodriguez | proimagesphoto.com

Another great hotel and resort to have meetings. Their meeting space offers 200,000 sq ft. The golf course is always in top shape. Great restaurants like Frank & Albert’s, Wrights at the Biltmore, and The Wright Bar.

If you are like me and like to explore there are some great art galleries nearby and Biltmore Fashion Park with many stores to choose from.

Opened in 1929 and the consulting architect was Frank Lloyd Wright.

The Biltmore was erected entirely of “Biltmore Rock” which is a textile block first used by Frank Lloyd Wright to build private homes.

Just a bit of trivia on the mansion. We all have had Wrigley gum to chew on at one time or another. Did you know that Chicago chewing gum magnate William Wrigley, Jr became the sole owner of the Biltmore in 1930?

He built this mansion at a cost of $1.2 million back in 1929. That would cost $18,356,631.56. I googled this to be sure but that is a lot of money and the depression just started. That is a lot of gum to sell. He wanted a winter home because he was the majority owner of the Chicago Cubs, so he wanted a place of his own. In 1930 he then purchased the Biltmore.

The Arizona Biltmore currently has gone under some great renovation and slated to open in Spring 2021. They will reopen with a new pool and waterslide and renovated the spa and fitness center.

Arizona Biltmore a great place for meetings and conventions

Convention Photography of attenddees heading to lunch between sessions. ©Joseph Rodriguez | proimagesphoto.com

If you get a chance to visit Phoenix stop by these places, get a drink, or just walk around. It is worth your time to see what you can offer your groups. There are many other places I have stayed in Phoenix but want to just write about a few and hopefully not bore you too much.

Meetings will come back this year and even stronger the following. I wrote a blog on this if you care to read it, click here.

Phoenix Arizona ia a place for meetings and conventions and if you are looking for a Convention or Corporate Event Photographer for you meeting, conference or convention, I hope you can consider my services. I love what I do and will always go above and beyond to capture the images for you. If you are planning a meeting I would love the chance to earn your business. You can send your RFP here.

Any thoughts please feel free to comment.

By projoseph|March 4th, 2021|Categories: Convention Photography|Tags: Convention Photography, Phoenix Convention Photography, Phoenix Event Photography|0 Comments

Where did the conventions go in downtown San Diego?
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Where did the conventions go in downtown San Diego?

Convention Photography

Where did the conventions go in downtown San Diego?

San Diego Convention Center where meetings and events take place all year long. ©Joseph Rodriguez / Proimagesphoto.com

Seems like yesterday that the San Diego Convention center was hustling and bustling with attendees all over the place. I am a Convention photographer and have covered over 100 plus conferences, tradeshows, conventions, and events over the past 15 years in San Diego.

January 2020, Paradise Point. That was the last photo assignment for me in San Diego for 2020. This is a great resort for groups up to 800 but you would have to contact them to get the exact maximum.

COVID-19 is the culprit that caused all this mess. March 2020 was my last official photo assignment in this industry and here we are about to be in March 2021 and still I have not done any meetings, but time will tell.

Currently, two vaccines have been approved and actively distributed. Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and Moderna’s COVID-19 Vaccine. Both require two injections within a period. The pace of these vaccinations is sluggish and could cause a slow down before COVID-19 and invite variants to emerge.

The Johnson and Johnson vaccine has not been formally approved but let us hope it does soon.

So, what is going on right now at the San Diego Convention Center?

The convention center has been repurposed as a temporary shelter for homelessness which allows more space for physical distancing and prevention of spreading COVID-19 which cannot be found in their current shelter facilities.

Beds setup in San Diego Convention Center for Homeless during COVID.

Here are some facts I will write here but you can to their site as well.

Currently there are about 10408 Shelter clients and 4043 Staff or Volunteers.

That is 14082 Negative test results. 256 did test positive but you can find more information on the link above.

Since March of 2020 I read that over 100 events and conventions have been cancelled or postponed. The San Diego Union Tribune wrote that equates to over half-million attendees. Hotels and restaurants to name just a couple of areas have been financially hardship.

Jeanine Littrel, CMP who was the Sr. Conference and Travel Manager for IBO.org is now Senior Director, Conferences & Meetings International Franchise Association. She hired me for the IBO.org meetings. I posted some photos here on my blog. Just a side note, Jeanine will be having the IFA.org annual conference virtual this year but, in February of 2022 it will be held in sunny San Diego!

USS Midway was a great venue for the final night and the attendees just loved the experience. This is what I hope to get back to, but I guess all of us in this moment wishes that as well.

Anne-Sophie Byers, CMP, who is now my main contact at IBO is the Conference Logistics Delivery Associate Manager. I have worked for her for some years as well.

I was supposed to be in Toronto for her in July of 2020, but the Pandemic stopped happend and then this year again I was informed their summer meeting was cancelled and will be virtual. A good amount of IBO’s attendees are international members and COVID restrictions in many countries proves to be the fatal blow for those wanting to attend.

convention photography of IBO attendees between sessions at the IBO annual conference in San Diego, CA

IBO.org attendees during break at the annual conference held in San Diego, CA

Female sitting in a Navy Jet on the USS Midway for a photo printed onsite by proimagesphoto

IBO.org member at a final night event on board the USS Midway having her photo taken and emailed onsite by proimagesphoto.com

Female attendees at event on the USS Midway in San Diego

Final event on the USS Midway in San Diego, CA
©Joseph Rodriguez / Proimagesphoto.com

Will meetings comeback late 2021 at the San Diego Convention?

I went to visitsandiego.com and read that they are currently closed to events and the timeline depends on the state and local revisions on public gatherings. Also, California has yet to provide specific rules for convention centers.

Hybrid events I believe are allowed with virtual components where small gatherings are combined and remote viewers presenting keynotes with other live speakers in remote locations. To learn more about this and other information go to visitsandiego and safe meeting protocols.

As the year continues it is my hope that late 3^rd quarter some meetings will come back. I currently have 3 conventions I will be covering closer to 4^th quarter this year but that can change.

Corporate meetings will return in full strength by 2022, that is what I believe. I look forward to walking the halls of the convention center and the people I have met and become good friends.

So, in the meantime some the great places to visit if you can get a chance to go to San Diego for a meeting or just go to vacation.

Great Places to visit while in San Diego!

Gaslamp District with lighted buggy in foreground in San Diego, CA ©Joseph Rodriguez / proimagesphoto.com

Gaslamp Quarter, this area was the hub for attendees to venture and enjoy the variety of food, nightlife, and shopping. All with a walk of the many hotels that are downtown.

Photo of Seaport Village area on San Diego Bay

Seaport Village walk way on San Diego Bay near Convention Center ©Joseph Rodriguez / Proimagesphoto.com

photo of Harbor House Restaurant located in Seaport Village

Just one of many places to eat at Seaport Village in San Diego.

A place I have often hung out while on assignment is Seaport Village San Diego. It faces the bay and behind many of the hotels and right next to the convention center. Now this has some great photo spots.

Photo-Petco-Park-Baseball-Stadium of-the-San-Diego-Padres

Petco Park Baseball stadium home of the San Diego Padres ©Joseph Rodriguez / proimagesphoto.com

Petco Park home of the San Diego Padres is a great place to have an event and I have done plenty of photography coverage there and the weather day or night while watching the games does not disappoint.

There are so many locations in San Diego to write about, but I will leave you with the above and let you google the rest. Though I am based in Texas I consider myself a San Diego Convention Photographer and feel at home there.

As we continue the path on getting back to normal let’s always remember the moments before this and appreciate those times with reverence.

I do feel even with a vaccine we are still going to continue wearing masks at meetings for a few more years, if I am wrong I will gladly be happy to be called out. It is not for me to judge anyone’s opinions we all have them, but we can only control what we do for us and in the end that is what we need to do. If you have any thoughts, please share. I am new to blogging and hope to continue.

After all I have time on my hands, though I do product photography, architectural photography, and headshots in my studio, I still wish I were on the road again.

By projoseph|February 26th, 2021|Categories: Convention Photography|Tags: Convention Photography, San Diego Convention Photographer, San Diego Convention Photography, San Diego Events Photography|0 Comments

San Antonio Conventions and Meetings, will they come back
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San Antonio Conventions and Meetings, will they come back

Convention Photography

San Antonio Conventions and Meetings, will they come back

San Antonio Conventions and Meetings, will they come back strong?

Convention attendees between breakout sessions at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention

San Antonio has seen a huge drop in conventions and meetings since March 2020. Hotel occupancy is not at normal levels. Current COVID vaccine rollouts are happening, so a good sign to see for the 3^rd and 4^th quarter of 2021. My past articles have talked about this probably more than I should but I feel I need to keep updating to a positive outcome happens.

As a Convention Photographer for many groups I have been affected, but my hope is to stay focused on the upward signs of getting back to what we all miss. I found an interesting article that was published back in Feb 2020, and my guess is that this was before all meetings were halted.

SmartAsset, which is a technology company that provides personal finance advice to make smart decisions in all areas, ranked San Antonio at number 2 in the country in their Feb 2020
“Best Cities for Conferences Edition” . They looked at different factors to come up with these rankings which were, total hotels medium and large, the average cost of a hotel, the average cost of a meal to attendees, distance from the airport to downtown, average travel time from the airport to downtown, crime rates and concentration of dining and entertainment in the city.

Here is what SmartAsset wrote about their ranking of San Antonio:

“San Antonio, Texas is second in our top 10, and is also one of the most affordable travel destinations in the country. Even if you cannot squeeze in a trip to the Alamo, San Antonio has plenty going for it when it comes to conferences. It has 349 total hotels, a top-three rate. That includes 87 medium-sized hotels and three large hotels. The average restaurant meal costs $50, and the average hotel room costs $138.”

This ranking of San Antonio is insightful, and I’m excited to know the Alamo city is ranked so high. Now we just need to get this pandemic under control and, if possible, completely eradicated. This will be a challenge, but with continued awareness, San Antonio will be a top-tier convention city again.

San Antonio has a lot to offer, and here are some of my favorite places in the downtown area that I have been hired as a convention photographer during the meetings and events over the years.

Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

Convention Photography of attendees on break in Bridge Hall Henry B Gonzalez Convention Center.

Located where in the heart of downtown and is within walking distance to restaurants, tourist attractions, and many hotels. A capacity of 514,000 sq ft of exhibit space and so much more. This place is incredible. All the latest technology to make any convention run smoothly.

San Antonio Riverwalk

Convention photography services of San Antonio Riverwalk River Barge Cruise with Convention attendees.

Many opportunities for groups to enjoy the sites and sounds of the city. The food is endless, the place for anyone and everyone to just stroll and people watch. Many venues are located on the river for groups to have their private events. One place that I always enjoy, the roving dinners that are so popular with groups and places like Rio Rio Cantina that has several levels and overlooks the Riverwalk or Boudro’s executive chef Danny Ibarra, who marries the traditions and history of South Texas with the finesse of the world’s finest restaurants. This place is hard to get into because, well, it’s just that good, so book early for your groups. These are just a couple of places to get your interest.

Grand Hyatt San Antonio

Convention Photography of attendees holding Hyatt frame for a social media photo op during a Hyatt Leadership Summit held at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio.

An upscale 4-star hotel that is conveniently connected to the Henry B. Gonzalez Center and Riverwalk. It covers around 115,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. I have covered so many meetings here I have lost count. The staff is on top of everything, and the groups I have worked with there often comment to me how much they just love this place. The hotel is a straight drive to and from the airport that takes about 10 minutes with traffic.

San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter

70,000 sq ft of meeting space and the older but like fine wine the San Antonio Marriott Riverwalk which has close to 20,000 sq ft.

Convention Photography services by proimagesphoto.com of Attendees engaging at a tradeshow booth at the Marriott Rivercenter

It is just across the street from the convention center and Shops Rivercenter Shopping Mall. This place has so much history, and my memories go back to many that would fill a book twice over. I remember being chosen to be the photographer that took photos of President George Bush Sr back in 1992 for the San Antonio Drug Summit, which took place at the Marriott Rivercenter. My assignment was to take photos of President George Bush Sr. and the Presidents of Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, and Mexico. I was assigned a U.S. Marshall who followed me the whole time. I remember asking him why; his response was to be sure that I was not replaced with someone like my appearance to get close to the Presidents. I often had to go in the stairwells and not elevators, along with Secret Service. I will always remember that. I would show photos, but back in 1992, it was all negatives, and those were confiscated after the assignment.

La Villita and Arneson River Theatre

San Antonio Convention Photography of attendees at Arneson River Theatre

Located on the southern bank of the San Antonio River Walk. La Villita was the original “Little Village” of San Antonio and goes back to the 18^th century. The history is rich with stories too long to be told here but today it is full of quaint shops called “The Artisan Village” and with great places to eat and connected to the famed Arneson River Theater where many groups have large scale outdoor events.

Not only does the Alamo have a history of Texas Independence, but it also has a history of hosting events for groups of all sizes. I can attest to this as I have been there capturing all the sights and sounds and taken group photos in front of this beautiful Mission.

Downtown San Antonio has a lot to offer to any group, small or large and when this virus is behind us, we will get back to doing what we do best. Conventions and meetings will make this city come alive, and I look forward to the day we can all meet again.

By projoseph|February 22nd, 2021|Categories: Convention Photography|Tags: Convention Photography, San Antonio Meetings ad Conferences, Tradeshow Photography|0 Comments

Meetings and Conventions where do we stand
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Meetings and Conventions where do we stand

Convention Photography

Meetings and Conventions where do we stand

I miss the early morning General Sessions, the hot coffee and the crowds mingling in the hallways or foyers between breakouts. The connections that are created and the people I have worked with over the years. Convention Photography, capturing the smiles, the engagement at the tradeshows, the speakers and of all the people attending is what I miss most of all.

It is my hope that Conventions and Meetings be back soon but the reality is, the year is off to a slow start for Conventions and meetings of all sizes.

The majority of meeting planners are focused on rescheduling and rebooking events and my guess is also the locations that are available for later dates.

I found this great read about a survey by Global DMC Partners .

A survey of, 242 respondents were polled from the meetings and events industry. Below are some insights from their poll.

Key insights from the responses included:

There is a clear shift towards hope for face-to-face meetings to resume in the latter part of 2021 with most planners (53 percent) now predicting that their in-person meetings and events will resume sometime in Q3 & Q4 2021.
The General health and well-being of planners and their family and friends is the top concern now, as opposed to fear/uncertainty, travel & government restrictions, and job security in Q3 2020.
Also 92 percent believe a vaccine is the most important factor in bringing back face-to-face events, an increase of 10 percent from Q3 2020.

The Third quarter of 2021 seems a long way from February 2020 but, it’s now February 2021. The struggles and changes we all have had to make will get us there for the 3^rd quarter or sooner. Just have to keep the faith. Q4 will certainly be better, that is my opinion and I am sticking to it. I believe that we may see companies schedule their meetings more in October and November to make up for Q1 and Q2.

Health protocols Conventions and Tradeshows. As I get back to offering Headshot Stations, I see all meetings highly recommend the use of masks. For example, Nevada state requirement for face masks will be required at both the Sands Expo Center and Caesars Forum. Every state has different rules. I will be sure to know in advance when I am on location. Even with the vaccine rolling out, there are still many that feel it will be some time before we all are safe.

Here is a list I found on a show that was in Las Vegas and posted their Health and Safety precautions.

Everyone is required to use face coverings, frequent hand washing and social distancing
Significantly increase entrance and exit areas to the exhibit halls to spread out gatherings of people more evenly throughout the facilities
Designate entrance and exit areas to control and screen visitors with discrete daily health queries, incorporating non-invasive thermal cameras, etc.
Reduce number of people at registration by requiring preregistration and mailing of badges
Prohibit new registrations on site so only pre-qualified and registered individuals will arrive at the SHOT Show
Configure traffic flow with one-way aisles
Install hand sanitizing stations throughout the show, and provide hand sanitizer to each and every individual attending the show
Enhance physical cleaning with hourly sanitizing of high-traffic areas throughout the show floor and common areas, including doorways, elevators and escalators
Collaborate with the Sands Expo Center, Venetian Resort and Caesars Entertainment in their advancements to be among the first in the nation to pursue certification for safety measures aimed at outbreak prevention through actions such as sanitizing the facility nightly. You can find more information of how the Sands Expo Center and Venetian Resort are combating COVID-19 by CLICKING HERE.

Tradeshow and Exhibitor companies will most likely create new ways to have attendees feel safe walking in a booth. Thermal Screening stations will be used. Additional hand sanitizers in all booths as an example. This alone is a subject I will go more in depth on my next post, stay tuned.

Travel is another challenge as many companies are having their employees working from home but as the vaccine rollout improves and the infection drops employers will start getting their staff back in the office which in turn, I can see that changing to allow travel to meetings. So let’s keep our fingers crossed hey even our toes.

Business travelers are going through an evolution and it is being reshaped. We all can agree that change is always going to happen in any circumstance. Fares may dramatically increase to cover the cost of deep cleaning planes after each flight and that cost will be added to the plane ticket.

I can remember back before this Pandemic I would see the occasional person wearing a mask and thought it was a bit odd. Now it’s so common. The transition to this new normal took time but it took and just like that we will get use to whatever is needed to be safe.

Touching on Virtual meetings. This will continue to be a large part of this industry for some time to come but also the fatigue of sitting in front of a monitor of any kind is growing. Keeping the viewer engaged can be a challenge and recent studies some have saying that the micro delays in audio, poorly lighted portrait images and lower resolution screens are just a few reasons of the fatigue.

Listed here are the most popular video conferencing systems in 2020.

FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp, Google Duo, Google Hangouts Meet, Microsoft Teams, Amazon Chime, Houseparty and Marco Polo. Which do you use?

As we move into the new year it will be wise to continue the safe protocol.

I read recently that Flu cases are unusually low and my guess is the masks we are all wearing and social distancing. Last year 9 million cases of the flu were reported.

This is a time of crisis for the meeting industry and it poses real threats in all areas that support this industry. My guess is that we will be ok but countless jobs have been lost and may never return. Even more worrisome is the loss of the conventioneer who drives the economics of the meetings that are created. Let’s keep trying to do all we can to bring a better outcome. Get people back to what they love. Drive the virus away by wearing your mask, wash your hands and social distance. This a challenging time for all of us.

I look forward to the days that are ahead with confidence. I will end this quote that I really like.

“Having a positive mental attitude is asking how something can be done rather than saying it can’t be done” – Robert Foster Bennett

If I can help you with your meeting or convention send me your RFP. Looking toward 2021 to be a better year!

By projoseph|February 15th, 2021|Categories: Convention Photography|Tags: Booth Photography, Convention Photography, Conventions photography, Exhibitor Photography, Las Vegas Tradeshow Photography, San Diego Convention Photography, Tradeshow Photography|0 Comments

COVID-19 at Meetings and Conventions for 2021
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COVID-19 at Meetings and Conventions for 2021

Convention Photography

COVID-19 at Meetings and Conventions for 2021

COVID-19 at Meetings and Conventions for 2021. What can we expect? What is going to be the new norm that stays with us for years? The Meetings and Tradeshow Industry has been in a tailspin, but ready to bounce back strong by the 3rd to 4th quarter of 2021.

March 2020 is the last time I traveled for a Corporate Photography Job. I remember the day perfectly our lives changed in ways I could have not imagined.

I am a Convention Photographer and provide services to the Meetings and Tradeshow Industry. It has been challenging to say the least. Businesses in all areas have been affected and many have not survived. The latest stimulus check will help but for how long?

Tampa Meetings and Convention Photography services of attendee at Tradeshow engaging at exhibitor booth. ©proimagesphoto

Tampa Meetings and Convention Photography services of attendee engaging in exhibitor booth. ©Joseph Rodriguez | proimagesphoto.com

As I go through the various cities looking at the Convention calendars of events, I see many cancellations and postponements. In addition, events have been scaled back but the good news is not completely, so there is hope.

The biggest vaccination campaign in history.

The biggest vaccination campaign in history is underway. 392 million doses have already been administered as of March 17, 2021 across 128 countries and this based on Bloomberg. 9.50 million doses a day so far and growing.

Another interesting item that Bloomberg posted.

In the U.S. more Americans have received at least one dose than have tested positive for the virus since the pandemic began. So far, 111 million doses have been given and in the last week an average of 2.44 million a day. I recieved mine last week and I feel so happy and hopeful.

NORTHSTAR meetings group recently posted an article writing that recovery is starting back up. They write that approximately 355,000 new jobs have been gained in the leisure and hospitality sector last month alone. This according to the latest report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is great news and hopefully with continued awareness and wearing masks we will get ahead of this pandemic.Keep in mind that even with Vaccines being administered daily, half of U.S. properties are projected to stay empty in 2021. I looked at the American Hotel and Lodging Associations 2021 State of the Industry report.

What’s going with the HOTELS AND LODGING INDUSTRY?

AHLA research shows 34 percent of American’s feel comfortable staying in a hotel right now. I can say this as well. My hotel points are enough for at least 40 days but I have not used them unless it’s for work and that was once last year in October.

When AHLA did their surveys, they found that many noted that their comfort level is tied to vaccinations, with 20 percent saying they won’t feel comfortable until a majority of Americans have been vaccinated. You can find out more by going to their site.

Hotels are coming back so please note that cleaning protocols are in place and have been since last year. New technologies in cleaning are being utilized not just in hotels but in the meetings spaces all over the country.

Meeting and Conventions will start to come back in the 3rd and the 4th quarter. Vaccines are rolling out at a good pace, and this gives meeting planners and convention planners positive vibes.

As we get moving toward normalcy, here is my take on the Do’s and Don’ts so you can be ready for the work to I feel confidant will be ahead of us. Please note, I realize this has been said a lot but I thought to just share again my thoughts here.

DO: SOCIAL DISTANCING AND WEAR YOUR “MASK”

Yes, it’s a sentence that have come to be heard more than we care but there’s a reason for this. I’ve battled a few people (verbally but not too bad) that look at this as silly, government control and so on but here’s the reality.

Flatten the curve: You know the daily numbers we get from our local news, national news. If we can stay at least 6’ or 2 meters away from everyone that we don’t know and yes even those relatives and friends that you see on occasion, this really does help. Working from home for those that are lucky to still have a job know zoom as their best friend or worst enemy but it’s what we have to do. You can also still chat with you friends on the phone, yes, it’s not just for texting or sending photos. Use Zoom to chat as well if you can’t FaceTime.

DON’T: GOING TO LARGE GATHERINGS INDOORS OR OUTDOORS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN PROPERLY PREPARED.

Fort Worth Meetings and Convention Photography of students attending Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.

Students attending the annual Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association meeting in Fort Worth, TX ©Joseph Rodriguez

You can be carrying the virus and not show any signs or feel any symptoms so this works both ways. Someone in that crowd may have it and not know it, some may have it and know it and don’t care. It’s just not worth the risk to you, your loved ones you have to go back home to and if you are the income earner this will devastate your family.

DO: GET VACCINATED

I went to the CDC.gov site and below are some highlights.

COVID-19 vaccination will help you from getting COVID-19. It’s that simple. Vaccines currently available in the United States have been highly effect at preventing COVID-19.
Additional COVID-19 vaccines that are in development are being carefully evaluated in clinical trials and will be authorized or approved only if they make it substantially less likely you’ll get COVID-19.
Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you.
Experts believe that getting COVID-19 vaccine may also help you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccination is a safer way to help build protection and an important tool to help stop the pandemic.

It is my belief that we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and 2021 will be the year that happens. Let’s all come together and make a difference.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and if I can help you at your Tradeshow, Convention and Event. Send me your RFP. I would like to get back into the Meetings Industry and do what I do best. Capturing More than the Moment.

By projoseph|January 21st, 2021|Categories: Convention Photography|Tags: Convention Photography, Exhibitor Photography, Orlando Convention Photography, Phoenix Convention Photography, San Antonio Convention Photography, Tradeshow Photography|0 Comments

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