When a crisis like COVID-19 strikes, it can feel like everything comes to a standstill. The events industry and offline communities have been hit particularly hard. No physical, large scale events have been taking place in most countries around the globe since the spring, and the outlook for 2021 is filled with uncertainty. So, how have event professionals adapted to the substantial changes in their field? As with any crisis, reinvention is the key to success.

Startup Grind is hosting a panel with 3 speakers who will share their insights and stories on how they had to reinvent this year. Their experiences cover different aspects of the event and community space, from large conferences to managing startup communities and outdoor festivals.

• Madeline Ulivieri, Community Manager of America & Europe at Startup Grind. Madeline first joined the Startup Grind community over three years ago as Co-Director of the Chicago Chapter. Her involvement with the organization grew deeper over time and Madeline now works for Startup Grind HQ where she serves as Chapter Lead. and works with all of the Chapters across Europe, North, South, and Central America. In her role she is responsible for overseeing the growth and management of Chapters, events and sponsorship.
• Romy Boettger, Project Coordinator at New Nordic Burn. Romy Böttger is an independent event producer, administrator and venue/production manager in the arts and cultural sector. For the last eleven years she has been working with her biggest passion: producing and managing community-focused, immersive, creative and educational ventures, primarily at alternative music and cultural festivals such as Shambala, Glastonbury, Boomtown Fair (all UK-based), Morning Gloryville (UK) and Nowhere Festival (Spain). Over the last three years Romy has developed strong ties with Oslo where she now works as a freelance event manager and consultant. She is currently a board member and the project coordinator for the New Nordic Burn, a newly established, participant-led, community-focused, no-commerce multi-day event, which is based on, and governed by, the principles of Burning Man.
• Bjorn Lapakko, Head of Startup Extreme. Bjørn has a background in product and brand marketing, working for various agencies and corporations across the US. In 2015, he left that world behind and ventured into the startup ecosystem, where he has spent the last 5 years living and working in the Nordics—building a seismic network and community of entrepreneurs, investors, friends, and makers. Currently, Bjørn is the Head of Startup Extreme—the most intense startup conference in the world.

The panel will cover a range of topics relevant for startups and companies that maintain a community, organize events and are looking for ways to reinvent themselves.