b'trendsBY SARA PEREZ WEBBERSTAYING SAFEMelissa Johnson of CameronA s vice president of Cameron Mitchell Premier Events (CMPE) in Columbus, Ohio, Melissa Mitchell Premier Events sharesJohnson oversees a team that generates the companys best post- more than $15 million in revenue for the Cameron Mitchell Restaurant group, one of the largest and COVID safety practices most successful independent restaurant groups in the country. Johnson has been working closely with meeting groups to develop guidelines and practices to ensure health and safety are the top priority for any event or gathering they plan.We have a COVID Task Force who diligently spend their time on CDC recommendations and the Cleveland Clinics recommendations, and formulating the training needed to safely operate, she says. The team focuses on how to keep an event as much in line with the clients vision as possible, while operating in a safe and responsible manner. Associates are continually trained in the protocols, including how to manage guests who dont adhere to the rules with a hospitality first approach. As of late July, CMPE had catered 12 full-service events since the restrictions in Ohio were lifted on larger gatherings. Following are some of CMPEs best practices in the post-COVID era, as well as Johnsons take on how catering and events will continue to evolve. 18 CATERING MAGAZINE cateringmagazine.com'