MEETINGS MAGS // Freelancing has become a new ball game since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, as many companies cannot afford to keep full-time positions, but still need those tasks completed. Although many more professionals have had to join the freelancing community since March, Tracy Judge had the passion for the freelancing community two years ago–long before the pandemic hit–and founded her company Soundings Connect in order to directly connect meetings and events industry freelancers with customers.

FORBES // Since March, the world has wondered when we can return to normal, including the tradeshows and exhibitions we’ve attended in the past—the way we’ve attended them in the past. It may be a while. While social distancing and proper health hygiene—which includes wearing a mask—can allow some people in the door, the days of crowded trade show floors are so 2019. It may be a year or two—hopefully not longer—before we see those crowded aisles again.

MEETINGSNET // Meetings and events have been devastated by the pandemic. Here are some agencies offering gig work for laid off professionals, and some advice from industry bigs.

Learn the information you need to execute successful virtual events, including hands-on experience to build a virtual event using Cvent technology.

Learn the information you need to execute successful virtual events, including hands-on experience to build a virtual event using Cvent technology.

Continue to upskill with these free training courses provided by Coursera! Here are a few the Soundings Connect Team recommends.

Listen to Episode 4 of the Traveling Podcast with guest Tracy Judge, MS, CMP, Founder and Chief Connector at Soundings Connect. Hosted by Dan Sherman and Ryan Barth, CMP.

A weekly conversation with freelance event producers, agencies who utilize them, and many more! This week we chat with Founder & Chief Connector of Soundings Connect, Tracy Judge. She shares with us why she created a vibrant freelance producer network, how Soundings Connect is helping retool the freelance workforce and the launch of a new platform called Soundings Thrive to bridge the gap in professional development for freelancers.

REVIVE + INNOVATE // Over the past month, the national conversation has centered around the harmful effects of racial injustice and systemic racism in the United States. As the meetings and events industry continues to move forward and recalibrate in response to the pandemic, this moment implores everyone in our industry to carefully examine and improve their diversity and inclusion practices.

Soundings Connect to launch Soundings Thrive™, the first of its kind membership-based platform for freelance professionals in the meeting and event industry

REVIVE + INNOVATE BLOG || Like their hotels and venue partners, meeting and event industry organizations have also been rolling out initiatives to tackle health and safety concerns. As new information regarding COVID-19 becomes available, meeting and event industry professionals can access these resources as they navigate evolving government guidelines and establish new health and safety best practices. What’s more, these resources can be used to inform, educate and increase communication between stakeholders.

Virtual will never replace face-to-face events, but hybrid events are definitely here to stay. While we’re unable to travel, we’re turning to virtual events as a short-term solution for suspended live events. When it’s safe to travel again, we predict hybrid events will be the norm.

We are excited to announce the launch of Soundings Connect’s new virtual event series, Revive + Innovate. We believe the only way forward is together. Let’s leverage our collective wealth of leadership and event knowledge to solve current challenges and create opportunities for the future.

CVENT // Join Soundings Connect Founder + Chief Connector, Tracy Judge, and Cvent Lead Corporate Recruiter, Matt Syme, for a conversation on how to enhance your skills and beef up your resume. Matt and Tracy share what employers are looking for in a candidate and share tips such as how best to position your LinkedIn account as well as how to "brand" yourself.

Hospitality and Event Industry coalitions create a strategic partnership to reignite industries as COVID-19 continues to change the landscape for events and travel

Due to over anticipation of demand and under-delivery in terms of customer engagement, we’re still learning how to leverage virtual events to best serve everyone. At Soundings Connect, we’re highly impressed by Intrado’s increasingly sophisticated and interactive suite of cloud-based webcasting and virtual event solutions.

THE MEETING PROFESSIONAL // The coronavirus. Is it possible to talk about anything else right now? Yes, because the meeting industry is critical for human connectivity and economies around the world, and we must prepare for what happens next. Here, a cross section of MPI members discuss wellness, F&B trends, diversity and inclusion, staying passionate and, of course, life during a pandemic.

CONNECT MEETINGS // The Hospitality + Events Fight Back Coalition plans hackathon to convert closed hotels into rehab centers for COVID-19 patients.