ASHEVILLE, N.C. (BRAIN) — The Peak Content Summit, a content marketing and strategy conference, is scheduled to start Wednesday despite the rash of industry show postponements because of the growing COVID-19 threat.
Tyler Benedict, Peak Content Summit founder, said remote screen-share sessions will be used for speakers who can't attend due to their company's travel bans. All speakers' presentations will be recorded and available for ticket-holders for streaming access.
"Only two speakers had to cancel travel because of it," Benedict said. "Neither wanted to, but it was sort of forced on them, so we've worked with them to use online meeting software to let them present remotely. Already tested it, and I feel it's the best solution given the circumstances."
Benedict, who also is the publisher of BikeRumor.com, said a couple of attendees had to cancel, mostly because of employer travel bans.
There's been "zero backlash," Benedict said, of the decision to go through with hosting the conference. "Everyone who can't come is super bummed to miss it."
The three-day conference is designed to guide cycling, outdoor, active lifestyle brands and marketing managers through the process of developing, planning and executive an effective content marketing strategy.
The industry has been stung by postponements of the Taipei Cycle show, Sea Otter Classic and the North American Handmade Bicycle Show. But some events are still set. CABDA East starts Wednesday in New Jersey. The National Shared Mobility Summit on March 17-19 in Chicago remains on schedule, as does the E-Bike Challenge Minneapolis, a major e-bike consumer event, March 28-29.
"Everyone's risk tolerance is different, and employers have worker safety concerns and liability issues to consider," Benedict said. "Better safe than sorry. Peak Content Summit is a little different scale than, say, Sea Otter. We're taking precautions to keep everyone healthy on site. While no one wants something like this to happen, it's a challenge that gave me an opportunity to get creative and find a solution that works best for the speakers and attendees. Nothing beats being there in person, but we're offering the next best thing for those who can't make it and have even added more speaker sessions thanks to the technological solutions we found."
