Recovery Continues With Live Events

By Frank Castella Jr
President and CEO

In February, we hosted our first hybrid Contact Breakfast open to the general membership, and we were thrilled by the response. The positive remarks from our members following the event have encouraged us to include additional breakfast events in a hybrid format, as well as other signature events on the 2021 calendar.
 
At previous events, including the monthly Network, Present & Refer gatherings, our staff has followed current health department guidelines. We plan ahead with the venue to provide necessary protocols and ensure attendees and staff adhere to social distancing, health checks, and mandatory face coverings.
 
Of course, we also understand that some members may not be comfortable attending in-person just yet. In consideration of this, we will continue to offer our events virtually as well to ensure all of our members can participate. Regardless of company policy, health concerns, or person preference, we will accommodate members in order for them to maximize their membership by participating and attending our events.
 
As we look further into the spring and summer, you can expect to see many familiar events adopting a hybrid format. From our Annual Gala, now on the calendar for April, to the Top Forty Under 40 Mover and Shaker Awards, and the 30^th Annual Hudson Valley Hot-Air Balloon Festival later in the year, we continue to reimagine how we host our events in order to provide the most value to our members and the community, no matter how they prefer to participate.
 
Including an in-person element to our events is just one of our first steps on our road to recovery. It will certainly take time to get back to where we were, but we see this as a promising start. I hope to see you virtually or in-person at one of our upcoming events soon!