The first Covid-secure event at Church House Westminster provided a much-need opportunity to get back to live events at the venue and was a dream come true after months of lockdown.
Church House Westminster was the venue for one-day in-person exams for RRC International, better known to many as The Rapid Results College Ltd. RRC provides health and safety and environmental qualification training.
Pro-active planning
Pre-event communication regarding the Westminster venue’s safety measures along with an informative venue video and links to a dedicated website of the venue were distributed to attendees to explain Covid-secure measures that the venue has implemented. This ensured that visitor’s expectations matched the venue’s measures for safe events.
Exam entrants were registered by RRC prior to the event and every exam entrant was advised to arrive at the venue at an allocated time slot for entry. These time slots were strictly followed and no latecomers were allowed entry.
Staggered arrival and departure times allowed the minimum number of delegates in front and inside the venue. At the entrance at North Door, temperature checks were in operation and so was checking that everyone was wearing a mask (unless exempt). It is also at this entrance where delegates were able to check-in using the NHS Test and Trace QR code allowing contactless entry.
Four rooms were set up in a classroom style with a maximum of 30 people in a room in each room. This number included staff and exam observers. Individual tables were placed so that it observed a 2-m physical distance in front, and behind and beside each desk. The largest four rooms of the venue’s 19 rooms were in use on rotation during the day, as 100 attendees were scheduled to sit the exams during the course of the day.
Following planning of the layout in advance, one-way systems were clearly indicated by signage
Additional safety measures were in place as standard, such as enhanced cleaning and placement of ample sanitiser stations throughout the route and in the room.
On the day of the event
Sufficient team members were placed strategically to aid wayfinding and minimise movement within the venue.
On arrival in the rooms, delegates commented on the sizeable space around their desks and how safe it made them feel in the room.
To safely facilitate breaks, the one-way system was also adhered to get to and from the restrooms. The facilities were hygienically cleaned at regular intervals.
As everyone completed their exam, individuals quickly and orderly followed the exit route towards the venue’s South Door.
Post-event follow-up
Andrew Fox of RRC remarked: “Thank you and your colleagues for all their help in hosting the event. The exams went off very smoothly and that is as a result of your team’s detailed planning and professional service”.
Marina Papadopoulou, Business Development Manager at Church House Westminster, commented, “As a venue, our priority was to provide a safe environment and to ensure that the delegates felt comfortable and to deliver a great experience. Integral to his objective was our pre-event communication demonstrating our clear Covid-secure measures. This event underlines the fact that it is perfectly safe to host and attend live in-person events at Covid-secure venues.”
For more information please do get in touch via our contact form or give us a call on 020 7390 1590 to discuss your event.