Lara Van Zyl

Friend, aunt, daughter, cousin, student, wine lover, event prof, master juggler! Lucky enough to live in one of the world's best cities!

[Lara Van Zyl @Laravz]

@Our_DA Seriously guys stop wasting your time! Focus on things you can change like solar panels at robots for loadshedding or the crazy driving of taxis! OR keeping us 1 level below national loadshedding. This rubbish will not make me vote for you!

[Lara Van Zyl @Laravz]

@Our_DA hey DA did you not say you would keep us a level below national? 11.5hrs no power today! Starting to think the @ANCParliament is running the Western Cape with this circus 🤬😡#eskom #Loadshedding

[Julius Solaris @tojulius]

The evolution of planning conferences ↓

Beginner: Let’s find a venue.
Intermediate: Let’s find sponsors.
Advanced: Let’s impress them with our speakers.
Master: Let’s connect people.

[Mmusi Maimane MP @MmusiMaimane]

5 years ago you didn’t have to wake up and check an app to see if you will have electricity during the day. A daily reminder that this is not all not normal.

[CATHERINE CONSTANTINIDES @ChangeAgentSA]

Is this meant to confuse us into forgetting the trauma of the crisis we are in???!!! 😤 it's all the same. We will be taken straight back to Stage 6 or Stage 8 after a cycle of the so called Stage 4 and 5! #Loadshedding #PowerAlert

[Mmusi Maimane MP @MmusiMaimane]

If we ignore 4 hour load shedding sessions, 12 hours a day of lack of power, this government will make us sit in the dark for the whole week soon.

They are turning South Africa into South Zimbabwe through looting and incompetence and we can’t allow that, not this year. Not ever.

[Julius Solaris @tojulius]

As the events community gets together for #pcmacl. 5 industry resolutions for 2023:

- More diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Less waste and unnecessary travel.
- More attendee engagement.
- Less alcohol
- More purpose

Happy new year!

[Julius Solaris @tojulius]

When it gets to event trends, there are only a few people I trust with advice.

Here are a few of my favorites.

https://t.co/s8IBbqcOFC

[Piers Morgan @piersmorgan]

Omicron is not a 'South African variant', it's a variant that was spotted & reported by brilliant South African scientists so fast the world has a chance to get on top of it. Could have originated anywhere.

[Julius Solaris @tojulius]

For those coming to Vegas for #imex21

Best coffee on strip: Urth
Best fancy restaurant: Milos
Best off strip sushi: Kabuto
Best vegan: Vegenation
Best activity: Hike at Red Rock

[Julius Solaris @tojulius]

A recurring question I get is how should we approach different attendee confidence levels when planning in-person events.

This could be an (anecdotal) approach:

[Julius Solaris @tojulius]

So what does event strategy look like in the next 6 months?

•Large events only in big cities with good climate or strong safety measures.
•Small local events hub and spoke or roadshow.
•Virtual strategy as a medium, not a backup, with purpose and exclusivity.

[Jonathan Jansen @JJ_Stellies]

The fact that vaccination sites are closed over weekends tells you everything you need to know about how seriously your government regards your life

[Julius Solaris @tojulius]

Business events expect 75% capacity at best (lack of international travel, etc) for the next two quarters.

Digital is the only way to break even or make a profit.

The misconception is that they need to happen at the same time. They don't.

[Julius Solaris @tojulius]

Evaluating your event channel strategy:

- Small event -> Go virtual
- Medium-sized -> in-person next to big city hub, offer digital or multi-hub for those who can't attend.
- Large and annual -> Invest in experiences, entertainment and networking.

A lot more to say.

[Julius Solaris @tojulius]

3 months into lockdown -> I hate working out from home

6 months in -> I can do it

12 months in -> I don’t think I am gonna go back to the gym

That’s the challenge for in-person events to attract people back.

Be interesting enough to move people out of their comfort zone.

[Derek Hanekom @Derek_Hanekom]

Covid-19: South Africa is now down to number 27 in the world in the number of active cases in our country. And it could be a lot better if we continue wearing our masks, sanitizing and as far as possible maintaining physical distance.

[Julius Solaris @tojulius]

Endorphins release you get at in person events you’ll never get during virtual. Deal with it.

[Lara Van Zyl @Laravz]

@NHassim333 @webafrica They are a bunch of jokers! But take our money they will!

[Julius Solaris @tojulius]

If virtual events are as effective as live events, so are zoom classes as opposed to school in person.

Don’t dismiss our innate need to connect with human beings.