What will commencements look like in 2022?
We are so grateful that the 2021-2022 school year has been back to “normal” for the most part. Seniors all over the country are ready to celebrate their accomplishments and receive their diploma. It’s a marked change from the 2020 commencement season, where lots of schools were forced to cancel commencements altogether.
In May of 2021, in the wake of mask mandates and capacity restrictions for indoor venues, most ISD’s and collegiate ceremonies moved outdoors. ISD’s that had football stadiums found themselves using their facilities to create outdoor commencement spaces and events, with social distancing being the glue that held the event together.
Outdoor commencement ceremonies are still taking the lead in 2022. The CDC has recommended mask use, even in outdoor environments. The CDC is also recommending social distancing in seating and in common areas. At In Depth Events, we are noticing that social distancing seating is still a factor in the wake of the Omicron variant. Safety is on everyone’s mind, and it’s important to create an environment to have your loved ones there to experience this moment of individual recognition together while still maintaining a level of safety and security for attendees and graduates.
Seating Examples (click for full sized)
Social Distancing Seating for Commencements
In 2021, In Depth helped our clients to pioneer options for social distancing seating on the field for graduates and their families. While some clients opted for 10’ distancing, most clients opted for 6’ distancing on the field.
Our favorite seating arrangement was a design that allowed a 1+4 seating configuration – the graduate is provided a chair, and four chairs were placed behind him or her for immediate family members. Friends and other family members were allowed to sit GA in the stands. This allowed the closest and most supportive people to actually be on the field with their graduates and made for a much more interactive experience for graduates and their families.
Virtual Events and Live Streaming of Commencements
What we have learned more than anything else in the past two years is that live streaming is here to stay. Families have quickly gotten used to the convenience of watching their graduate walk across the stage. Our analytics data have shown family members from all over the world watching in real time as their graduate received their diploma. Adding chat features allows viewers to be able to interact with the stream.
Although this technology has been available for years, it’s only in the wake of COVID that the average person is familiar enough logging on with their mobile device or computer and watching in real time. People have their favorite streaming platforms, and In Depth can offer multiple streams at the same time for users on YouTube, Facebook, and other streaming platforms. Our experienced technicians and state of the art video equipment allows for a trouble-free viewing experience for families all over the world.
Providing rental equipment for outdoor commencements
Most ISDs and colleges don’t have the equipment in house to produce an outdoor graduation ceremony. Never fear! For decades, In Depth Events, Inc. has been an industry leader in commencements, and we are proud to use the latest technology and equipment for our commencement clients.
We provide staging and crystal-clear audio to your live attendees, presenters, and graduates. We also provide the video and streaming equipment to provide live streaming services for our ISD and collegiate commencement clients. Any other production needs – just ask! We provide generators, lighting, and even confetti cannons for our commencement clients looking to spice up their ceremony.
Please contact us with questions about your next commencement. We look forward to hearing from you, and working with you and your staff to create the perfect commencement event.
