Visitor Dynamics

Visitor dynamics is the complete set of movements that visitors make during an event. This applies from the time of arrival to departure.

The basic principle of measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus is that the number of high-risk contacts (longer than 15 minutes cumulatively, within 1.5 meters) is kept to a minimum.

Fixed seating vs free movement

In general, a distinction is made between events where the visitor has a fixed seat, compared to events where this is not the case. Fieldlab Events used the following different types of events:

Type I - Indoor, with passive audience (e.g. theater performances, concerts with seated audiences, cultural performances, cinema, business conferences and seminars, musical, circus)

• Visitors sit in their seats most of the time and only go to the foyer or a bar for a drink during intermission.
• Visitors are quiet, do not sing and shout or cheer exuberantly.

Type II - Indoor, with an active audience (e.g. pop concerts, indoor dance events, sports games)

• Visitors stand in front of the stage and move freely through each other.
• Visitors sing, dance and cheer exuberantly.

Type III - Outdoor, with an active audience (e.g. soccer games, other sports matches, stadium concerts)

• Visitors are seated in a fixed seat, but regularly get up.
• Visitors sing, dance and cheer exuberantly.

Type IV - Outdoor, with festival audience (e.g. music, film and other festivals)

• Visitors move freely through the entire site.
• Visitors sing, dance and cheer exuberantly.

Type V - Participant participation (e.g. running, cycling and walking events, obstacle runs)

• The visitors are the athletes themselves, move over a course

Type VI - Transition events (e.g. trade fairs, public fairs, fair)

• Visitors move freely through the entire site.
• Visitors behave calmly and mutual contact is limited.

Measures that may affect the dynamics

• Inflow and outflow - Special measures to guarantee a fast and regulated inflow and outflow of visitors, keeping the number of contacts between visitors as low as possible. This includes time slots for arriving visitors.
• Bubbles - A division of visitors into groups based on the separation options within event locations. Distribution can take place on the basis of, for example, courses, rings in stadiums, etc.
• Placement of facilities - By arranging specific matters 'smartly', hotspots of contacts can be prevented.

Execution

• In practice, events sometimes consist of more than one of the types mentioned above. For example, a mass sports event with a large audience. In that case, it is useful to divide the organization into different parts in terms of assessment. Sometimes it is even necessary to use different measures for different zones.
• If it is possible to keep the zones separate, measures can be limited for those parts that have less risk of high risk contacts. The strictest measures apply to people who come into multiple zones.
• Ensure a good flow at the entrance and when leaving the event. A factor that can help with this is working with time slots, so that the audience arrives spread out. Research by Fieldlab Events shows that visitors find up to 1.5 hours in advance acceptable as a waiting time for an event. Allow visitors to arrive at approximately 15-minute intervals. Time slots are a guideline, they are not mandatory.
• Spread hotspots. This can be done in several ways, for example by first only opening the bars and merchandise points that are furthest from the entrance and only later the points closer to the entrance, this ensures a better flow. The same goes for lockers, toilet groups, etc.

Points of attention

• Determine with the organizer the type of event involved. If there is one type, rate the event as a whole.
• If there are different types within one event, see whether a separation of groups is possible. For example, at a concert, a different policy can be applied for the stands compared to the standing area, provided the groups are separated within the location.
• Separation of groups will take place from the entrance of the location. Is there enough space for this?
• Does the organizer apply specific measures to prevent contacts. What measures are being taken to limit the number of contacts (where possible)?
• So-called bubbles can also consist of different groups of measures. How are these separated?