Congrès operated the first event at Tokyo International Forum's 5,000-seat Hall A after the COVID-19 pandemic ー "NRI Dream Up the Future Forum 2020"
On October 5, 2020, Congrès Inc. managed the "NRI Dream Up the Future Forum 2020" hosted by Nomura Research Institute, Ltd. (NRI). After the pandemic of COVID-19, this forum was the first convention managed by Congrès to welcome participants in a Tokyo venue, combining live streaming with in-person attendance in a hybrid format. It was also the first event held in Hall A of the Tokyo International Forum, one of the world's largest halls with 5,012 seats, since the pandemic began. By effectively utilizing the spacious hall and carefully planning routes to avoid crowding, we successfully managed the forum while implementing thorough infection prevention measures.
"NRI Dream Up the Future Forum", based on NRI's corporate philosophy of "Dream up the future.," is a business forum held annually in the fall to contemplate the future of Japan and the world with insights from internal and external experts and scholars. Congrès has managed this event for three consecutive years since 2018.
The Forum centered on the theme of "Covid-19 and socioeconomic paradigm shifts", with presenters analyzing the impact of the rapid advancement of digitalization on our lives, work, and values, and offering recommendations related to the possibilities for business in the post-corona era and the importance of digital social capital development.
In response to the intention of the organizers, who had as one of their goals the dissemination of such social proposals, Congrès proposed a operation that is appropriate for the current era.
The three-part program began with a keynote speech by NRI Representative Director and President Shingo Konomoto, entitled "Developing Digital Social Capital for the Post-Corona Era."
The next presentation was a special video lecture by Arun Sundararajan, professor at NYU's Stern School of Business, entitled "The New Normal for the Post-Corona Era".
Finally, a special dialogue on possibilities for business and approaches to work in the post-corona era was held between Konomoto and Makiko Eda, Japan Representative to the World Economic Forum.
To determine the best use of the Tokyo International Forum after the pandemic of COVID-19, Congrès discussed with stakeholders and proposed various methods based on our experience with similar hybrid events in other regions.
One of these methods involved seat usage and labeling. To effectively use the large hall, unused seats were marked with paper to maintain a social distance of over 1.5 meters between participants in all directions. Care was taken to ensure that this arrangement did not compromise the view from the stage or the aesthetics of the venue.
Additionally, to avoid crowding, we implemented several infection prevention measures, including restricted entry routes, the use of hand sanitizers upon entry, temperature checks, system-managed entry and exit, requests for mask-wearing, and the display of signage. These measures were strictly enforced to ensure a safe environment for all participants.
We also paid close attention to stage decoration to ensure that both in-person attendees and live stream viewers enjoyed the forum. During the dialogues, camera positions were adjusted to create the effect that speakers were facing each other, enhancing the presentation on the online screen.
Congrès Inc. proposes various forms of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) for the era of living with COVID-19, including virtual conventions held online and hybrid conventions that combine in-person attendance with online participation.