PARIS — UFI released an in-depth framework offering guidance for reopening the exhibitions industry as countries across Europe look to reopen their economies and their communities.
Related. Read the full framework HERE.
UFI’s framework aims to establish a unified approach for show management that can be adapted to safeguard shows against COVID-19 spread across boundaries. It also serves as a benchmark for policymakers worldwide. Assembled by a special taskforce of the association’s members and top industry leaders, the regulatory measures that can be taken to safeguard trade shows, attendees and the regions where they convene are built on established best-practices and their collective expertise.
The special taskforce included top international venues, associations, general contractors and exhibiting companies including Informa Markets, Reed Exhibitions, Tarsus Group and Clarion Events.
“The ability of associations to lead and help foster discussion and debate across whole industries makes us central to a crisis such as the outbreak of Covid-19,” says UFI President Mary Larkin. “UFI prides itself on a network of members and partners that sits at the forefront of exhibition industry development, and consequently we have some of the world’s leading authorities working with us on this framework. We hope that the industry comes together in support of this initiative and helps make the framework synonymous with our industry’s recovery.”
The proposed guidance considers pre-planning and post-show tactics in its five-segment framework which focuses on ensuring personnel and personal safety, enabling physical distancing in a variety of ways such as floor design and inclusion of barriers, and increasing health and safety measures through tools such as screenings, crowd control techniques and establishing enforcement protocols.
Educating officials about the differences between mass gatherings and exhibitions has proven to be a difficult lift in many communities impacted by sheltering-in-place orders around the world. Providing a framework assists many of these advocates in re-opening talks with authorities and governments on all levels – the bodies that give license for exhibitions to take place, UFI said in a statement.
Related. What separating trade shows from the mass gathering category means for organizers in Germany. Read it HERE.
“Exhibitions are distinct from other large events. Crowd management, visitor flow and adherence to operational protocols can be tightly managed. A strong framework provides a compelling case for the recommencement and continuation of this vital industry,” said Managing Director and CEO of UFI, Kai Hattendorf. “By pledging to ensure the health and safety of all exhibition participants, trade shows can resume their rightful place as a proven fast track to trade and market recovery.”
The framework will be at the forefront of UFI’s Global Exhibitions Day activity this year. For more on GED 2020 and the GED lobbying campaign, click here: www.ufi.org/ged.
Reach Mary Larkin at (207) 842-5542 or mlarkin@divcom.com; Kai Hattendorf at (33) 1 46 39 75 00 or kh@ufi.org.
