Meetings + Events

The power of gathering people

room space calculator

Find out how many people will fit in your room or what size room you need for your number of attendees.

Step 1
Choose a Room Layout type:

Step 2
Enter one of the following to determine the other:

Room Size:

sq.ft.

Capacity:

NOTE: This is a starting guideline only. Accuracy for your particular event cannot be guaranteed.

 

latest issue

Latest Issue

The Art of Communication

The Art of Communication

by Sandra Eagle

Going forward, communications about postponed events and new events should be crafted carefully, according to Katie Dunsworth Reiach, partner and co-founder of Toronto-based Talk Shop Media.

“The world has grown increasingly sensitive and concerned about large gatherings and timing is everything. If your event has not adjusted to meet current gathering guidelines or pivoted to take on
 a more virtual offering, you may be putting yourself at risk. There is still speculation about what events in the 2020/2021 year will look like. Avoid offering too many details before you know what is possible.” 


Dunsworth Reiach advises against speculation about when your event can be rescheduled unless you have a regional go-ahead. “Nothing will be certain for many months—and even years to come—on what events and public gatherings will become. You are better to move to a virtual event or plan for the following year than to continue to operate with uncertainty.”


In talking with delegates and stakeholders, Dunsworth Reiach recommends working from a master communication document that addresses essential questions and answers: Think of the most frequently asked questions and prepare short bullet-point responses. “You’ll then have to determine how proactive you are able to be with all of your related groups. If your event is less than six months away, communicating your current status is important. Then move into monthly updates of what each group needs to know and
do.” It’s also a good idea to provide contact information on your event’s web and social media pages on who to contact for questions as many delegates and suppliers may not read email communication and will be looking to proactively ask questions.


You should also plan for tough conversations where a stakeholder may demand a repayment or refund. “Get clear internally on what your policy is and how you will handle these difficult requests,” she says.


Read more on communicating through a crisis in Message Received, page 5 of Ignite's Special Edition: Safe Meetings.

other articles in this section

The Inside Scoop

Five Cool Things at…the Destinations International Annual Conference

Digital Event Boosters

What’s Ahead in Events

Event Decor in 2024

Tips for the Accidental Meeting Planner

Holiday Party Rethink

Destination Q&A: Bermuda

Event Design Roadmap

How Destination Vancouver is Building a Social Procurement Strategy

Sustainability in Action

Talk it Up!

International Women’s Day

The Dilemma: The Rising Cost of Events

Event Profile: Raising funds and spirits

2023 Trend Report

Better Booths

A Shift in Perspective

Timing is Everything

Spring Barometer Report

Getting Back Together Safely

Keep it Moving

Meetings Forecast

Ignite your Photo Ops

Post-pandemic Staffing Issues

Put DEI in your event’s DNA

Ignite your Video

Caring for the Caregivers

Green Business = Good Business

The Ignite Platform Primer

Case Study: Testing event restrictions

Making Space

Team Building Now

The Disposable Dilemma

Video Star

Case Study: Virtual Awards Show

Are you virtually covered?

Lights, Camera, Action!

2021 Trend Watch

Flight Forecast

Case Study: A hybrid event for meeting planners

Trading Spaces

Terms of Empowerment

Feeding the Future

Milestone reflections

Virtual Holiday Party Ideas

Case Study: Canadian Event Industry Awards

Stress Busters

Case Study: 100-person virtual mentoring event

The Power of Story

Event spotlight: ConferenceDirect meets at Caesars Forum Las Vegas

By the Numbers: October 2020 Edition

A Whole New [Virtual] World

Level Up

The Time is Now

Grab the Mic, Grow Your Business

Should you give interns a turn?

Up for Interpretation

Balancing Act

Back to Business: Insights from the MTCC

Back to Business: Insights from byPeterandPauls Hospitality Group

Back to Business: Insights from Industry Associations

Hands Off

Must-haves for the New Reality

Back to Business: Insights from White Oaks Resort & Spa

Gotta Get It: Golf Edition

The Art of Communication

Back to Business: Insights from Casa Loma Escape Series

The Ignite Guide to Masks

Parting thoughts

Back to Business: Insights from JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka

The new reality for... Speakers

The new reality for... Caterers

Fight Right

The new reality for... Team Building

Virtual Sponsorship How-To

The new reality for... Hotels

CanSPEP Connext Conference Kit

The new reality for... DMCs

How to turn delegates into social media brand ambassadors

The new reality for… CONVENTION CENTRES

Job Hunting Today

Your Event Contract Questions Answered

The New Reality for… RESORTS

Hack Away

Beyond Talking Heads

Keeping Connected

Be a Part of the Solution

Time Wise

One Big Virtual Reunion

There's No 'i'solation in Team

New Direction in a Time of Need

Financial Smarts

On the Bright Side

Talk to Me

Food Forward

The Value of Employee Sustainability

All the Right Moves

The Real Cost of RFPs

Valuable Video