Heatstroke countermeasures are indispensable for midsummer events, pop-ups, and exhibition sites.
Beyond managing the physical health of operational staff, whether or not visitors can spend their time in a cool environment greatly influences the impression of the experience itself.
That said, in temporary spaces or outdoor booths built over short periods, it is often difficult to prepare air conditioning or shade.
That is precisely why incorporating "heat-prepared design" in advance is becoming important for sites from now on.
This time, we will introduce tips for heatstroke countermeasures and creating experience spaces based on the premise of heat that can be practiced at exhibitions and pop-up venues, from five perspectives.
▼ For heatstroke countermeasures in the office, please see "Don't Forget 'Communication Tips' for Corporate Heatstroke Countermeasures. What is Signage That Communicates Better Than Posters?"
In midsummer pop-ups and exhibitions, the design of the space and experience itself is easily swayed by "heat".
For example, please imagine such scenes.
・Open design, but the sun is too strong and people pass by
・Even if there is content you want to see, waiting in line outdoors is tough
・The entire venue is stuffy with heat, and you don't feel like stopping
When such situations accumulate, your dwell time decreases and the density of the brand experience also drops.
It would be a waste if your carefully planned flow and promotions were skipped simply because it's "too hot".
In addition, heat also affects the response capability and performance of on-site staff.
If there is no room for composure in facial expressions, tone of voice, or politeness in handling, the impression of the customer service itself will change. As the performance of the operation side drops, it is also possible that the result will affect the customer experience.
On the other hand, if a comfortable environment is in place, site operations will also be stable, and it will be easier to maintain the quality of customer service.
For attendees, a natural desire to stay will be born, thinking, "Maybe I'll look a little longer," or "Let's take a picture too."
"Heat" influences visitor circulation, experience, and staff performance.
To mitigate that influence and protect a comfortable space and experience, consideration at the preparation stage is indispensable.
Here, we introduce 5 concrete heat-protection tips that are easy to actually incorporate at pop-up stores, exhibitions, and event sites.
Especially at outdoor events, setting up shades and temporary tents in areas exposed to direct sunlight to block the heat is essential.
Additionally, you can expect an effect of lowering the perceived temperature of visitors by creating an environment where you can feel the wind locally using spot coolers, cooling mists, and circulators.
Even indoors, you cannot be off your guard regarding these heat countermeasures.
In places where air conditioning is hard to reach or around booths where heat accumulates due to crowds, layouts that consider airflow and the use of simple cooling equipment are effective measures.
In midsummer pop-ups and exhibitions, a design that makes you feel "cool immediately upon entering" is the first step to attracting visitor dwell time.
Heat stroke prevention is an important theme not only for attendees but also for the staff supporting the site.
Especially for summer operations where staff stand at the site for long hours, including setup and removal, it is required to design "when, where, and how they can take breaks" in advance.
For example, creating reasonable shifts or incorporating break times into the staff schedule is key, setting up a "mechanism for rest" in terms of operations is the point.
Along with spatial considerations for where to take breaks, an "operational system that assumes staff will take proper rests" leads to the stability of the entire site and the success of the event.
In summer work sites, a little bit of consideration can greatly affect the visitor's experience satisfaction.
Distributing practical novelties for heat protection is not only helpful for preventing heatstroke but also leads to a positive impression of the brand.
For example,
・Cooling towels and ice rings that can be worn around the neck
・Salt tablets and cooling sprays
・Easy-to-use portable body sheets and paper fans
Items that you "want to use immediately" are not only appreciated the moment they are received but are also points that make it easy to leave an impression that "this event is thoughtful".
Novelties that are useful for heat protection and feel "nice" on the spot can also be a trigger to have people engage with the product or brand. They can be utilized as an effective means not only for sales promotion but also for a bit of surprise or impression.
Heat can not only be avoided but can also be utilized as part of the experience design.
By creating moments where visitors feel "cool" and "pleasant" that are unique to the summer season, you can turn them into contact points with visitors.
For example:
・Touch & try experience of cooling sprays and body sheets
・Creating a space where you can take a break as a "cool spot" by placing benches in a well-ventilated area
・Efforts to provide visual coolness by using icicles
→ A photo spot where people naturally want to stop by by trapping the brand logo or message inside the ice
・演出 (presentation) that makes you feel cool from the auditory sense by incorporating the sound of wind chimes
→ Utilizing it as a mechanism with a message, such as adding brand copy to the strip of paper
Efforts that incorporate coolness not only serve as heatstroke countermeasures but also lead to "fun" and "memorable experiences" for visitors. Rather than treating heat as a negative factor, incorporating it as a production that can only be done in summer is also a point for summer planning.
Even in situations where it is difficult to lower the actual temperature, "ideas that make you feel cool from the look" are sufficiently effective. Especially, visual elements such as lighting, materials, and color schemes are effective means for producing a "space that looks cool".
For example,
・Transparent fixtures and panels (acrylic, glass-like, etc.)
・Color schemes that give a cool impression (white, light blue, silver, etc.)
・Graphics and motifs associated with water and ice
・"Cool" tone production with suppressed lighting
etc., tricks that make people "feel somewhat cooler" even without touching, can also lead to increased desire for attendees to stay longer.
The perspective of "how to impress coolness" rather than "how to avoid the heat" will greatly change the impression of the space.
The Ministry of the Environment has published heatstroke prevention guidelines for event organizers and facility managers.
Key points to keep in mind, such as planning, implementation, handling of heatstroke victims, and staff management, are organized, so if you are wondering "what should I start with?", it is recommended to use them as a reference.
▼ Click here for the Ministry of the Environment's "Heatstroke Prevention Guidelines" page
Heatstroke countermeasures tend to be limited to safety management and alerts, but
at event and pop-up sites, they are also design elements that influence the quality of the experience more than that.
Even with a difference of just a few degrees or a slight difference in production,
it can be the trigger for visitors to stop their feet or feel "I'm glad it's a little cool".
The accumulation of such detailed considerations forms the comfort of the entire experience.
Rather than avoiding the heat, how can we create comfort that can only be felt because it is the hot season?
That may be the perspective required for creating venues for pop-ups, events, and exhibitions in the future.
At BEEATS, in the planning, design, and operation of pop-up stores and exhibitions, we can offer proposals that include experience design based on heat. Wouldn't you like to think together about "creating a comfortable and fun place" that is not just about the sense of security as a "heatstroke countermeasure" but can only be done because it is summer?
We can provide total support from spatial production to operational design, and we also accept consultations for spots, such as "only for novelties" or "only for partial spatial production". Please feel free to consult with us.
Q1. Why are heatstroke countermeasures necessary for summer events and exhibitions?
A1. The reason why heatstroke countermeasures are necessary for summer events and exhibitions is to maintain the dwell time of visitors and the performance of staff. There is a risk that circulation time will be shortened due to heat or that the quality of customer service will decrease. By preparing an environment based on the premise of heat in advance, you can provide a comfortable experience and lead to the success of the event.
Q2. What kind of heat protection is effective for outdoor pop-up stores?
A2. Effective heat protection for outdoor pop-up stores includes installing shades or temporary tents to block direct sunlight. Additionally, utilizing spot coolers, cooling mists, and circulators to create an environment where you can feel the wind locally is effective. A design that makes you feel "cool as soon as you enter" attracts visitor dwell time.
Q3. What are popular novelties at summer exhibitions?
A3. Novelties appreciated at summer exhibitions are practical heat-prevention items that people want to use immediately, such as cooling towels and salt tablets. Portable body sheets and paper fans are also effective. These items are not just for heatstroke prevention, but also lead to a positive impression of the brand as being thoughtful, and provide a trigger to engage with the product.
Q4. What kind of ideas are there to create a sense of coolness in space design?
A4. A trick to演出 (present) coolness in space creation is to incorporate materials with transparency and cool color schemes. Fixtures such as acrylic, color usage such as white, light blue, and silver, and graphics that associate with water and ice are effective. By utilizing elements that appeal to the visual sense, such as performances with a cool tone that suppresses lighting, you can increase visitors' willingness to stay.
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