March 17, 2020
I’m tired of reading carefully crafted messages/letters/emails from businesses using buzzwords and marketing speak about the Coronavirus. So, I hope you’ll be ok with me just speaking from the heart.
Obviously, what is going on right now SUCKS. It sucks for our families. It sucks for our communities. It sucks for all the people who have experienced illness or live in fear due to age or underlying health conditions. It sucks for all the relatives of those people.
It sucks for the economy. It sucks for all the businesses that are closing their doors for the greater good. It sucks for all the people who rely on those businesses for income. And, it obviously also sucks for people in the event and meetings business, like us.
We understand that life is changing right now, and the last thing on people’s minds is getting on a plane and sitting in a room with hundreds of strangers. Believe me, we get that.
That being said, and as much as I know you have far more pressing issues, I just wanted to provide you with a very brief update as to what we are doing regarding the Brand ManageCamp conference in the face of this current reality.
STILL SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 15-16 IN LAS VEGAS
We are fortunate that Brand ManageCamp is not until September. So, we’ve got some time for things to work themselves out. Although, I have no doubt that, even when they do, the scars and economic implications for us all will linger for quite some time.
LIVE-STREAMING
We are adding live-streaming to the event. Each Brand ManageCamp registration will come with the option of attending live (assuming that is possible) or watching on the live-stream (if you are unable or unwilling to travel). The live-stream will be available for a period of days after the event (TBD) so that you will have the option to watch live or at a time more convenient for you. If you watch it live, you will be able to ask questions and take part in special Q&A’s and other content during our breaks. For more information about the live-streaming option, please see our PRICING page.
EARLY-BIRD RATE EXTENDED
We are extending our lowest early-bird rate until May 29th. We understand that you have many more important things to worry about right now.
NO-RISK REGISTRATION
We will be waiving all cancellation fees for people who register on or before May 29th. As long as you cancel by August 21st, 2020, you will be entitled to a full refund of your registration fees. Obviously we hope it doesn’t come to that – but you can register and take advantage of the lowest pricing with no risk. This updated policy also applies to all people who have already registered for the conference.
And that is basically it right now. There is not much more we can do – other than not panic and continue to move forward in a way that respects people’s current priorities and understands where we fit in them (not high).
As you may know, ManageCamp is a small, family-run business that is in its 18th year. We started in the era of 9/11, made it through a recession, and we don’t plan on letting this get the best of us. But, I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t going to be our toughest challenge yet.
Please know that we are open for business and practicing social distancing by working from home. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions – or if you just want to chat!
I truly hope that things get back to some version of normalcy for everyone in the near future.
In the meantime, be safe. Be healthy. Be with your families. We will get through this.
All the best,
Len Herstein
Founder & CEO
ManageCamp Inc.