Germany has announced it is distinguishing exhibitions and trade shows from other forms of mass gatherings. Doing this has enabled the country to allow exhibitions to start reopening, subject to the approval of the host state. Permission is granted based on the submission of a trade show application which proves the event can meet certain preconditions. These include limiting the number of participants who can attend the exhibition and adhering to approved health and safety measures.
Other forms of mass gatherings will only be able to resume at the end of August.
North Rhine-Westphalia, the first German state, has announced that it will allow trade shows and congresses to run from 30 May, subject to them meeting as-yet-undisclosed conditions.
Earlier this week, UFI published a ‘Global Framework guidance for the safe reopening of exhibitions and B2B trade events’. (Read about it here.) The framework advocates for the earliest possible reopening of the industry, with guidelines on how this can be safely done.
“We are advocating that not all types of events are equal, and it is encouraging to see that this message has reached the government of one of the world’s most important exhibition markets.”
Mary Larkin, UFI President, welcomed the news of Germany’s decision. She said, “We are advocating that not all types of events are equal, and it is encouraging to see that this message has reached the government of one of the world’s most important exhibition markets. Every exhibition is an organised event – as an industry, we know how to create conditions where attendees can go about their business while taking the necessary precautions in the age of COVID-19.”
Globally the exhibition sector generates $81.1 billion in direct GDP and contributes a total economic impact of $325 billion. This means the sector ranks as the 56th largest economy in the world.
