Event managers can unfold a double-layer advantage when physical event resume-Mohd Badar, HBN Events

by  EVENTFAQS Bureau Industry Watch | August 20, 2020 | Promo Feature

HBN Events Mohd Badar

“It is imperative to modify the system and structure of the industry while not losing out on the essence of event management,” says Mohd Badar, Founder and Director, HBN Events, in the context of the Covid19 crisis and lockdown.

The Lucknow-based agency believes its job is to curate, create and execute experiences by customising every detail to achieve what is expected by the client. In an interaction with EVENTFAQS Media, he outlines the vision for HBN, challenges faced during the pandemic and future plans. Excerpts:

Tell us something about HBN Events. What is your vision for the company?

HBN Events is a comprehensive and dedicated event management company based in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Our foundation lies in the belief that it’s the people who have the potential to make things happen.

We at HBN Events strive to improve through each day and through each event. We are having a strong hold in UP and managing corporate and private events.

Although we are based in Lucknow, our services are available wherever our clients need us. Our presence can be felt pan-India as we have successfully organised events in several tier-I and tier-II cities across the country. We are unwavering in our continued efforts to establish ourselves as pioneers in the events industry and at the same time building long-term relationships with our clients across India.

At HBN Events, we have a dynamic team of experienced professionals who work diligently to provide exceptional results. We design experiences with a blend of creativity and collaboration that are more than what our clients expect, using our deep industry knowledge to create an amazing experience We provide services including MICE, event management, ATL/BTL activations, value additions, photography and videography

Comment on how you are dealing with the pandemic and what strategies did you use to maximise your revenue during the outbreak?

Event management is one of the worst affected industries by novel coronavirus and is deemed to have a slow revival tendency as the industry was majorly predominated by in-person networking. In light of such limitations, HBN Events dons the initiative to revive the event management industry post lockdown.

Our company always strives to come up with the latest solutions for effective reception amongst the audience. Event organisers are faced with challenges where they need to reconsider their options while balancing the health and safety of staff, sponsors, and attendees along with meeting the financial obligations

Gauging the situation closely, it is imperative to modify the system and structure of the industry while not losing out on the essence of event management. The industry can survive and reclaim its position by adapting to the technological revolution. Immaculate planning can completely harmonise with the celebration of art, irrespective of the alteration in interactional mode.

The industry is marching towards a hybrid model that entertains both physical as well as virtual interaction. Event managers are adept in crisis management. They can have a lucrative future if they can unfold a double-layer advantage – by leveraging physical events when the situation comes back to normal while employing the virtual component to its fullest for crucial revenue generation.

HBN Events has undergone a virtual shift with the utmost alacrity, highlighting the cost-efficient nature of the (digital) platform that reduces expenditures attached to traditional events.

Virtual events are the new in-thing. Will this virtual concept help the event industry grow?

Virtual events are just an option to run the business in this pandemic; there is no scope of work in future, especially in small towns.

The UP Government has said it will allow large events in the State. Have large events resumed? By when do you expect to see them happening?

No events are allowed in Uttar Pradesh till 31st August 2020. Unlock 4 guidelines are going to come, and we are expecting something positive from the Government towards event management.

How large is the events market in Lucknow? What is the presence of HBN and do you see scope for expansion beyond UP?

In the last few years, Lucknow has been a very big centre for event management. There have been many big events in Uttar Pradesh like Investor Summit, Defence Expo, in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present. In these events, more than 500 event managers and several thousands of daily workers were involved in Lucknow.

Can you share insights about a recent event/case study – starting with the client brief and how HBN Events achieved objectives?

Before the pandemic, we had done some projects for the UP Government, besides Vodafone Golden Awards and a project for UNICEF.

Vodafone Golden Awards is a half-yearly event to boost energy and also to make the audience aware of themes like the new telecommunication growth and challenges. It was a three-day event with 2,000 people from Uttar Pradesh in attendance, hosted in Lucknow.

We had made the set-up in two days just before the event. The event was divided into three categories: RM Roll Out, Vodafone Samman Samaroh and Vodafone Golden Awards.

What other future initiatives are planned through HBN Events?

We are planning Lucknow Health Run Season-2 #RunForYourHealth virtually. We are approaching all the runners and participants of Lucknow to give their valuable suggestions and connect virtually to make the season 2 as successful as the first one.

The organisation is also working hard to create a strong community in Lucknow and want this ingenious idea to reach every individual for making their life healthy and bind youth with one passion – running.

We also believe that the Government should take care of this industry as soon as possible and implement it by taking appropriate decisions, so that millions of people directly and indirectly associated with it can get support in this epidemic period.