Kempinski reimagines meetings in response to Covid19

by | 27 Jun 2020 | Design

Luxury hotel group Kempinski is changing its meeting and events offering in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Social distancing and enhanced hygiene protocols are just some of the adaptations being introduced at Kempinski as its management seeks to ensure hotel meeting and event spaces are Covid-secure. We take a look at what steps the group is taking to reassure guests.

Kempinski goes the extra mile

Hotels have long used their conference and meeting facilities to attract corporate travellers and hosts, but the rapid emergence of Covid19 is forcing them to change their approach. Kempinski, for instance, is radically rethinking how it will host corporate events in its luxury properties, and rolling out new strategies across its portfolio.

Amanda Elder, chief commercial officer of Kempinski Hotels, has elaborated on the group’s plans, saying: “We are in the process of learning to navigate the new setup, which requires extensive planning and willingness by all our teams to adapt fast. Meetings participants should realise that we care about their health and safety when entering our properties and we are proactively demonstrating our efforts to make them feel safe. We are ready to go the extra mile.”

What to expect from future Kempinksi events

In terms of social distancing, all events will now be conducted in a manner that ensures appropriate spacing between delegates can be maintained. Tables will be positioned far apart, and markers will be placed on the ground so that delegates know where they ought to stand. Room capacities will also be closely monitored, meaning spaces should never get overcrowded.

When it comes to F&B provision, meanwhile, gone are the days of the casual buffet-style setups. Instead, these will be replaced by delegate-specific servings, such as the individually packed lunch or dinner bento boxes handed out at Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin. These meals can even reflect local cuisines – to give just one example, attendees at conferences in Berlin have received the ‘Berlin Style’ box containing German meatballs and mashed potato.

Last but not least, some Kempinski properties have started to use videoconferencing platform Mondopad, integrating face-to-face meetings with digital ones and enabling delegates to communicate with each other in new ways that better reflect the post-Covid19 world.

ABOUT THE CHAIN

 

Created in 1897, Kempinski Hotels is Europe's oldest luxury hotel group.