Cvent CMO Patrick Smith offers valuable insights for industry, as many take first steps towards business recovery

Event professionals across the globe will need to adopt a flexible mindset and be prepared to adapt and evolve their business practices in order to succeed in a post-pandemic world, stressed Patrick Smith, senior vice president and CMO of Cvent, a market-leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider.

Smith kicked off EduMonday at PlanetIMEX today with his session, ‘Adapt, Evolve, Accelerate,’ offering attendees important insights into how to find success as many take their first steps towards business recovery. More than 1,000 event professionals across Europe registered for the session.

Smith spoke candidly about how Cvent has had to adapt to the new environment, helping their clients adjust event strategies and adopt new ways of thinking. Nearly all of Cvent-hosted events in the second quarter of 2020 will pivot from in-person events to virtual ones, and Cvent has been working to support these efforts since early March. “What we’re finding, and what our customers are finding, is that even when we’re faced with lockdowns and social distancing regulations, the show can (and will) go on. Our customers are driving significant positive results because they made the decision early on to go virtual rather than cancel.”

Following the cancellation of IMEX Frankfurt, IMEX organisers launched a virtual experience in partnership with Cvent, giving attendees unlimited, free access to a comprehensive agenda and unique activities. “PlanetIMEX is a great example of how the industry is already adapting in spite of the current environment,” Smith continued. “IMEX organisers had three options: cancel, postpone, or pivot. They chose to adapt and be nimble. By leveraging existing tools and partnerships, as well as exploring new ones, a new range of possibilities was uncovered and it’s exciting to see it all in action.”

About the Author

Adam is the co-founder and editor of www.eventindustrynews.com Adam, a technology evangelist also organises Event Tech Live, Europe’s only show dedicated to event technology and the Event Technology Awards. Both events take place in November, London.