In May this year, AIPC, the International Association of Convention Centres, ICCA, the International Convention and Congress Association and UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, put together a new global guide titled: Good Practice Guide: Addressing COVID-19 Requirements for Re-Opening Business Events. You can access it here.
The document was intended to help business events navigate the initial relaxing of lockdown regulations, most critically by giving them the tools to protect their staff and participants.
Fast-forward to now, we have globally reached a point where companies are eager to return to face-to-face events. South Africa is slightly behind this trend, having been among the last countries for the pandemic to reach, but China is now operating full calendars and an increasing number of exhibitions and live events are taking place in Europe, the Middle East, and North and South America.
To support the resumption of these events, AIPC, ICCA and UFI (G3 Partners) have released another global guide: Good Practice Guide: Addressing COVID-19 Requirements for Re-Opening Business Events – Version 2.
The report includes 12 mini case-studies and learnings from events which successfully took place around the world over the past few months.
The new guide is intended to bolster confidence in customers and visitors that business events can be held responsibly, in highly controlled environments which greatly minimise the risk of transmission. The report includes 12 mini case-studies and learnings from events which successfully took place around the world over the past few months.
ICCA President James Rees says, “Collaboration and knowledge sharing are the most important drivers of success during challenging times. Our whole industry is built on the premise that coming together for great content and education improves organisations – it is therefore vital we demonstrate that through our own work and our own efforts to minimise the impact of COVID-19 on our sector and emerge stronger than ever. This guide highlights some of the leading ideas and success stories across our industry in recent months.”
“As a face-to-face industry we always put the safety of our visitors first, and this Guide shows the many ways that as an industry we are working to implement the very best practices to achieve that.”
Mary Larkin, UFI President and President of Diversified Communications USA, adds, “Exhibitions and indeed the entire events industry have been among the worst affected by the pandemic. One of the first industries to be shut down in March, many parts of the world are yet to open their doors again. However, getting the green light to open our doors and reopen our events is only the first hurdle we are facing. We need to reassure our visitors and customers that they can be confident in coming to our events, to meet face to face and rebuild their businesses. As a face-to-face industry we always put the safety of our visitors first, and this Guide shows the many ways that as an industry we are working to implement the very best practices to achieve that.”
An online event on how best to implement the recommendations made in the guide, and interpret its content into local actions, will be organised by the partner associations and announced soon.
