Drive Thru Grad 2020

Health and safety plan paramount in planning process

Prior to the concept of DriveThruGrad2020 being announced to the community at large, the organizers behind the event had to develop a COVID-19 Emergency Response Plan that would satisfy government authorities that this would be a safe event for graduates and their families.

To do so, the lead partner of this event – e=mc² events – enlisted the support of its health and safety partner, InUnison Technologies, to create a robust Emergency Response Plan that would satisfy the requirements of Alberta Health Services, the City of Calgary, the Municipal District of Foothills, the Calgary Emergency Management Agency, and Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis.

The 17-page document, which received a stamp of approval from all of the above-mentioned agencies, covers hazard identification; risk mitigation; medical, safety and security plans; a communications plan; vehicle and pedestrian traffic plan; and the required education and training for everyone involved in this event.

“We have been a proud partner of e=mc² for 16 years,” said Jeff Weaver, President and CEO of InUnison Technologies. “It is a pleasure to apply our OHS knowledge and experience in support of this great initiative for the graduates of 2020.” What has made this process even more challenging has been planning the event in the midst of a pandemic, as the health authorities adjust the rules and regulations with each new phase of re-opening.

“We were able to rapidly respond to the DriveThruGrad2020 requirements,” Weaver said. “Leveraging the power of the InUnison technology platform and our Covid-19 Re-opening solution.”

DriveThruGrad2020 takes place from June 15th to 20th at Stampede Park and from June 23rd to 26th at Spruce Meadows. It is expected that approximately 1,000 high school graduates from the public, separate and private systems will “walk the stage” over this two-week period.

#DriveThruGrad2020YYC is a collaborative of event industry professionals, businesses and venues, rallying together to celebrate the Class of 2020. Our goal is to safely provide a unique opportunity for our 2020 graduates to feel celebrated, as they close this chapter of their young lives, providing them inspiration, and launch them into adulthood. This is the Class of 2020, not 2021 and definitely not the Class of COVID-19.