It has been a year since the events industry was shut down over night to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. As we enter into the vaccine phase of this pandemic, things will begin to open (and we couldn’t be more thrilled!), but it will not be an immediate transition. To best manage expectations of the near future of events, we are comparing the safety protocol that has been implemented in three different states; California, Colorado, and New York. Without further ado, here are the current recommendations for events in 2021:

CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EVENTS IN CALIFORNIA

The current CA state Health Orders and Mandates do not permit lawful events throughout the State of California. Some venues have restaurant licenses so have been operating as such, following state/county guidelines for dining.

Special event ceremonies are permitted following specific guidelines based on the county’s tier status.

– Widespread (purple): Outdoor ceremonies allowed; Indoor permitted with 25% capacity.
– Substantial (red): Indoor ceremonies permitted at 25% capacity.
– Moderate (orange): Indoor ceremonies permitted at 50% capacity.
– Minimal (yellow): Indoor ceremonies permitted at 50% capacity.

So, what exactly constitutes a ceremony? Ceremonies are considered a formal occasion, typically to celebrating a particular event. According to the CA mandates, ceremonies should not serve or allow food or beverages to guests.

Wedding receptions are permitted under the gatherings guidance for up to three households outdoors or indoors in Tiers Substantial (red), Moderate (orange), and Minimal (yellow). The household count includes everyone present.

Please visit CAPE California or California Events Coalition more information and insight to the events industry within California specifically.

CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EVENTS IN COLORADO

Under current restrictions, events can follow the restaurant guidelines and capacity restrictions. This includes parties being seated, no shared activities, and performers are at least 12 feet from guests. A “seated” event is when guests have minimal movement, such as using the restroom facilities.

Professional performing arts groups can apply for permission to conduct indoor performances or rehearsals, without an audience, in counties where indoor events are closed (i.e., counties in Level Red). View the instructions for how to apply for permission to perform indoors in Level Red counties.

Venues must limit capacity based on their size, considering square footage and appropriate limits in the current county. Here is a look at the current levels of restrictions for event venues in Colorado:

– Level Green (Protect Our Neighbors): indoor events may be conducted at 50% of the posted occupancy limit not to exceed 500 people per room. Guests do not need to be seated.
– Level Yellow (Concern): 50% of posted occupancy limit not to exceed 50 people per room for both seated and unseated events. Establishments larger than 7,200 square feet may use the Distancing Space Calculator to expand to no more than 150 patrons within their usable space for unseated events. Seated events using 6 feet of distancing between parties also may not exceed 150 patrons.
– Level Orange (High Risk): for unseated events, 25% of posted occupancy limit or up to 50 people using the Distancing Space Calculator, whichever is fewer. For seated events, 25% capacity or up to 50 people (whichever is fewer) calculated using 6 feet of distancing between parties.
– Level Red (Severe Risk): Closed with a few exceptions. Educational institutions including museums, aquariums, or zoos may open indoors in order to perform educational functions, up to 25% capacity or 25 people per room, whichever is fewer. These institutions must follow the same capacity restrictions as other indoor events in all other dial levels.
– Level Purple (Extreme Risk): Closed. 

For more information about events in Colorado, please visit the CO Event Alliance website. Additionally, the state has further information available regarding indoor and outdoor events.

CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EVENTS IN NEW YORK

As of March 5, 2021 weddings and catered events may resume across New York State, following current recommendations for events in 2021.

Here is a look at the current restrictions and guidelines for events in New York:

– Venues are restricted to 50 capacity, with no more than 150 people per event.
All patrons must be tested prior to the event.
– Sign-in with contact information required to assist with potential contact tracing.
Venues must notify local health departments of large events, above the social gathering limit, in advance.
– Masks will be required at all times except when seated and eating or drinking.
– Ceremonial and socially-distanced dancing allowed under strict guidelines.

For more information on events in New York specifically, please visit Governor.ny.gov, or the event guidelines on NYC.gov.

As we continue to ease back into large scale events, know that you have support. We are always here to answer questions, provide guidance, and assist you to ensure your next event is a safe celebration for all. The Amazáe Events team is eager to remain up to date regarding current recommendations for events in 2021, and beyond.

As we welcome a new calendar year we often find ourselves planning, reflecting, and goal setting for the year ahead. Yearly goals can include a wide range of aspirations including more travel, professional growth, becoming more physically fit, or starting a spiritual journey. No matter the goal, a great way to help keep you accountable is to create a vision board. You are 42 percent more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down. Getting your goals down on paper not only forces you to get clear on what, exactly, it is that you want to accomplish, but doing so plays a part in motivating you to complete the tasks necessary for your success.

A vision board is a visual representation of your goals. Typically seen in a poster board formats, vision boards include a visual display of inspiring images and text that relate to your goal(s) and vision(s) for the year ahead. Creating a vision board is a wonderful first step to showing up as the best version of yourself in 2021. Here are our tips to create your new year vision board:

Step 1: Ask yourself some guiding questions

Before you start cutting magazines to create your vision board, begin by reflecting on what it is you really want by asking yourself a few simple questions. These questions may be specific to you & your dream life, but some general ones to guide you are:
– What do I value?
– What needs would I like met?
– What do I want out of life?
– How do I want to feel?

We suggest taking some time to gain clarity, then grabbing a journal to answer these questions.

Bonus Option: Create a tag line or affirmation to represent your vision board.

Step 2: Organize your needs & wants

Review your answers to the questions answered in step 1, and categorize each into groups. Some areas that may come out naturally include: health & wellness, travel, relationships, financial, and/or personal growth. An easy way to do this is to underline each with a different color marker or pen to represent the various categories.

Step 3: Write down your goals

We are taking it back to school with this one, focusing on SMART goals. We will use our categorized needs & wants from the first two steps to become even more clear on exactly what we would like to see come to fruition.

As a reminder, SMART goals are:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Time Bound

This is not to say you shouldn’t dream big, more importantly this will give you guidance to feel like even your biggest dreams are attainable.

Step 4: Decide on your medium

In this age, you may consider using an app to create a digital vision board. This allows for easy editing as well as less paper waste.

However, you need a break from being on a screen all day, or a reason to use up old magazines, the traditional route may be more suited for you. Physically making a vision board to become crystal clear on your goals is a perfect activity to enjoy alone, or with other members of your household.

Both mediums have their benefits, so you really cannot go wrong here. Take a look at the resources below to help make your decision.

Digital vision board resources:
– Vision Board: a free app that allows you to create, edit, update, and track your goals from your phone. You can upload your own images, set specific dates for your goals, and create multiple boards at once.
– Canva: a free app that allows you to create a wide range of digital designs. This works both on your desktop, or as an app on your phone so you have some flexibility. This is a much more abstract tool with a ton of creative freedom.
– Pinterest: this may be a helpful tool for both planning or executing your vision board. Use it as an image search engine, means for inspiration, or as a way to gather and organize the imagery you will use elsewhere.

Physical vision board resources:
– Old magazines, photos, books, or items that you don’t mind cutting up.
– Glue, scissors, and/or tape will likely be needed to execute.
– Paint, glitter, or other mediums you would like to include that provide positivity or inspiration.
– A piece of cardboard or card stock may be useful to create your vision board on so it holds it shape once you begin adding items.

Whichever you choose, let this process reflect you as an individual and the life you want to live. If you desire more simplicity, but you’d like to make a physical vision board, create something that reflects exactly that.

Bonus Option: Create a vision journal to answer your questions, create your vision board, and reflect daily, even if you are on the go.

Step 5: Dedicate a time & space to get creative

Now that we have gotten crystal clear on all that we desire, the goals we will meet to achieve our dream life, and what mediums we will use, it’s finally time to begin! We suggest setting aside specific time to focus on bringing your vision to life to minimize distractions and maximize focus. You’ll want to collect all your supplies and ensure you have plenty of room to feel comfortable and work as needed.

We also recommend adding some inspiring music, aromatherapy, and/or stretching before hand to reset your space and mindset. Making a vision board to become crystal clear on your goals, dreams, and desires only works if you are present in the process.

Once you get started, let yourself flow, and have fun with it!

Step 6: Display it in a visual place

Whether you created a digital or physical vision board, it is important to place it somewhere visual when it is completed. Even if you created a digital version, consider investing a few dollars to have it printed so you can hang it in your home or office.

Bonus Option: Take a photo, or save your digital version, to use as the background of your laptop and/or phone.

Step 7: Visit your vision board daily

Each day, take a few moments to look at your vision board. This may be beneficial in morning or the evening, depending on your lifestyle. When you are not distracted, carefully examine every aspect and imagine how it could exist in your life. Consider how each item makes you feel. If you are a spiritual person, consider praying or saying a daily affirmation as you visit your vision board.

If you’d like, consider adding a note, or gold star, to each item as they come to fruition in your life.

Additionally, we recommend revisiting your SMART goals regularly and ask yourself how you can work towards each. It is important you do the work in your daily life, in addition to visualizing what you want and need.

Bonus Option: Recreate or add to your vision board at different stages of your life. It could even be fun to make one with your soon-to-be-spouse to vision a marriage you both desire.

Regardless of the time of year, your age, or life status, there is always room for growth. By creating a vision board using the steps above, you will gain clarity to your deepest desires, outline goals to achieve them, and continually inspire yourself to strive for a life you deserve.