The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the event industry

Pandemija novog korona virusa najaktualnija je tema u svim medijima diljem svijeta od kraja 2019. godine. Svakodnevni rast broja osoba zaraženih virusom COVID-19 rezultirao je proporcionalnim rastom negativnog ekonomskog učinka na svjetsko gospodarstvo zbog restrikcija kojima je temeljni cilj bio zaustaviti pandemiju. Restrikcije za borbu protiv pandemije bile su neophodne, ali istovremeno su zakočile rad mnogih djelatnosti, pa tako i industrije događaja. Industrija događaja profitabilna je u više smjerova i znatno pridonosi razvoju svake zemlje, pa je vrlo važno utvrditi negativne učinke pandemije na njezino poslovanje, kao i potencijalna rješenja za njezin oporavak. U tom kontekstu, ovim se radom nastoji izvršiti analiza različitih povezanih učinaka protupandemijskih mjera na rad organizatora i realizatora događaja. Provedeno je istraživanje korištenjem strukturiranog anketnog upitnika u kojemu su sudjelovali članovi hrvatske Zajednice industrije događaja. Rezultati su ukazali na teškoće sa kojima su se suočili svi ispitanici, ali i utvrdili njihove stavove o alternativnim tehnološkim rješenjima za događaje. Osim toga, spoznaje se potreba za većom podrškom sektoru od strane tijela izvršnih Vlasti, dok bi spremnost na upravljanje krizama trebala postati sastavni aspekt djelovanja industrije događaja. Rezultati ovoga rada prije svega pružaju stvaran uvid u još neistražen utjecaj pandemije na industriju događaja i kao takvi mogu poslužiti dionicima event industrije, ali i kao podloga drugim znanstvenim istraživanjima.The pandemic of the new corona virus is the most current topic in all media around the world since the end of 2019. The daily growth in the number of people infected with the COVID-19 virus has resulted in a proportionate increase in the negative economic impact on the world economy due to restrictions whose primary goal was to stop the pandemic. Restrictions to combat the pandemic were necessary, but at the same time hampered the work of many industries, including the event industry. The event industry is profitable in many directions and contributes significantly to the development of each country, so it is very important to determine the negative effects of the pandemic on its business, as well as potential solutions for its recovery. In this context, this paper seeks to analyze the various related effects of anti-pandemic measures on the work of event organizers and industry suppliers. The research was conducted using a structured survey in which members of the Croatian Event Industry Association participated. The results indicated the difficulties faced by all respondents, but also established their opinion on alternative technological solutions for events. In addition, the need for greater sectoral support by executive authorities is recognized, while crisis preparedness should become an integral aspect of the event management. The results of this paper primarily provide a real insight into the as yet unexplored impact of the pandemic on industrial events and as such can serve stakeholders in the event industry, but also as a basis for other scientific research