As more countries start to re-open business events, a lot is at stake to ensure things go smoothly. This includes upholding varying Covid-19 protocols to minimise associated health risks, build customer and visitor confidence, and adhere to local regulations. Fortunately, early indicators from events that have successfully taken place around the world have been able to do just this.
To support this unfolding process, a third edition of the Good Practice Guide: Addressing COVID-19 Requirements for Re-Opening Business Events has been released, with updated and expanded content. The document was produced jointly by AIPC, the International Association of Convention Centres, ICCA, the International Convention and Congress Association, and UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, and is being made freely available.
It shares specific examples of local, regional and national health, safety, environmental, compliance and legal requirements, but stresses that these can differ vastly from country to country, from service to service and from product to product.
AIPC, ICCA and UFI stress that this guidance is only a guidance. It shares specific examples of local, regional and national health, safety, environmental, compliance and legal requirements, but stresses that these can differ vastly from country to country, from service to service and from product to product. Event industry professionals will need to familiarize themselves with their local context and requirements.
Aloysius Arlando, AIPC President, says, “Alongside resilience, event venues must demonstrate adaptability, agility and innovation in the learning and re-application of insights from emerging practices as a result of COVID-19. As the global crisis and response evolves, business visit bubbles will play a significant role in allowing business exchanges and personal interactions to happen.”
He adds, “The world’s first bubbled business exchange, Connect@Changi in Singapore, is an important milestone in the progressive re-opening of Singapore’s borders and in facilitating face-to-face meetings between participants from different countries using approved testing regimes, without the need for quarantine in Singapore. It is a showcase of the collaborative spirit and innovation amongst like-minded partners to put in place such a facility at the Singapore EXPO & MAX Atria, in less than 14 weeks. This temporary facility is a firm reminder of the role face-to-face meetings play in bridging that important human connection, which fuels economic progress.”
“The world’s first bubbled business exchange, Connect@Changi in Singapore, is an important milestone in the progressive re-opening of Singapore’s borders and in facilitating face-to-face meetings between participants from different countries using approved testing regimes, without the need for quarantine in Singapore.”
James Rees, ICCA President, says, “With each iteration of the Good Practice Guide, we can see the difference that collaboration and knowledge-sharing make in re-starting the meetings industry. The new insights shared by convention centres offer an invaluable perspective on re-opening in the face of the current challenges caused by the pandemic. It is vital that our industry returns to face-to-face events quickly, safely and efficiently. This update is an excellent resource for any organisation in our industry to understand the very latest innovative and adaptive approaches,” says.
Anbu Varathan, UFI President, adds, “At UFI, we are tracking the recovery of exhibitions and business events around the world. Where shows have taken place, exhibitors and visitors have expressed their satisfaction with attending shows, as well as reporting good business. This guide is a ready reckoner for global good practices, and as a service to the entire events and exhibition industry, we are making it available for all stakeholders globally. Standing together, working together – this defines our whole sector, and, for me personally, the G3 alliance between AIPC, ICCA and UFI is a wonderful example for this power of collaboration.”
READ: Good Practice Guide: Convention and Exhibition Centres as Temporary Vaccination Centres
