Event marketing in 2021

It was nearly the norm for major events in 2020 to get cancelled, but high hopes seek to avoid the same this year, with regatta organizers becoming experts on ever changing COVID-19 regulations.

The 2021 505 World Championship are planned for Bermuda, and while event marketing might normally focus on the pink sand beaches and epic sailing on the Great Sound, this update takes a different approach:

Bermuda suffered the perfect COVID storm in April. The combination of the UK variant spreading among school children and some illegal house parties caused infections to take off. One party alone accounted for more than 80 new cases. The Bermuda Government responded by imposing a stay at home order for 1 week and followed with a non-mixing of households order for 3 weeks.

This, along with continued progress with vaccinations, has had great results. The seven day average of new infections has fallen to 7. On a population of 64k this puts us at 109/million, about 1/3 lower than the US, 1/2 of Germany but trailing the UK. Bermuda now moves back to the rules being followed earlier in the year and life is more or less normal.

Currently, 39% of the total population is fully inoculated, 51% have had at least one dose. So 62% of the eligible population has had at least one dose. As in other countries, the rate of vaccination is slowing due to reluctance to be vaccinated rather than availability of supply. Significant efforts are underway to coax more people toward vaccination.

Bermuda was early in imposing testing before and after arrival on the island last summer. Effective June 6, allowances will be made for vaccinated travelers freeing them from significant quarantine. COVID testing will still be required before departure, again on arrival, day 4, day 7, day 14. The testing station is a block from the club and the health department has been very good at working with the club to ensure scheduling is not a problem.

So, we can announce a happy conclusion and anticipate a fantastic event come October for vaccinated competitors. Similarly, we encourage you and others that may join us to begin a registration file if you have not already done so. There is no need for payment at this stage.