The objective of the Restart Expo was to showcase to government, industry and the media how business events like exhibitions can manage the risk of Covid-19 transmission and be held in a safe and responsible manner. To support this message and give it life beyond the event, the show organisers have released a dossier detailing all Covid-19 protocols that were in place. It also unpacks why business events are naturally suited to implement these protocols effectively, as well as the potential economic value they can deliver across all industries and sectors.
Craig Newman, Group Chief Executive Officer of GL Events South Africa and former President of UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, says; “As an industry, we shouldn’t be Covid-19 restricted, but rather Covid-19 managed. We should not be classified as mass gatherings, as we are organised events which can be completely Covid-19 compliant. The industry is so well regulated, even before the global pandemic, and the organisers and venues involved are more than capable of putting together a public event that falls within the World Health Organisation and local government Covid-19 regulations.”
“As an industry, we shouldn’t be Covid-19 restricted, but rather Covid-19 managed.”
He adds, “In essence, the core message of the Restart Expo to the government around reopening is: bring us in, let us run shows. We know how to do it. We can bring everyone back together safely and this is what will help to drive the economic recovery. There really is no reason to keep the industry closed.”
To download the dossier and find out more, please click here.
More about the Restart Expo
The Restart Expo was a collaboration between Specialised Exhibitions – a division of Montgomery Group, and the Johannesburg Expo Centre on behalf of the South African exhibitions and events industry. It was successfully held from 25-26 November 2020 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec and attended by key role players in the discussion on reopening business events. These included Mmaditonki Setwaba: Acting Deputy Director-General of Tourism Sector Support Services, Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa: CEO of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, Sisa Ntshona: CEO of the SA Tourism Board, and Barba Gaoganediwe: CEO of Gauteng Tourism.
For more information, please contact Leigh Miller, marketing manager for Specialised Exhibitions on +27 (0)11 835 1565 or leighm@specialised.com.
