NEWS
Restart Expo sees industry united in reopening of exhibitions and events Having taken place from 25-26 November at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec, the Restart Expo was an opportunity for the collective industry to unite in demonstrating to the authorities how exhibitions and events can take place safely with all the required Covid-19 health and safety protocols in place.
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he event was not held on a commercial basis but put together at the cost of all those who participated. It ably showcased that it is possible to bring industry together through organised events; events which will stimulate the economy and boost employment whilst taking place safely. “As an industry, we shouldn’t be Covid-19 restricted, but rather Covid-19 managed,” said Craig Newman, group chief executive officer of GL Events South Africa and former president of UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. “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,” he added. Forty industry-related exhibitors engaged with government officials, members of non-governmental organisations, industry associations, business representatives, media and industry colleagues. In addition to the exhibition stands, business lounge, meeting rooms and restaurants, a high-powered seminar programme saw multipliers of business, health officials and authorities exchange ideas and discuss ways in which to take the SA economy forward in a safe and healthy manner. All sessions were live-streamed
4 Business Events Africa December 2020
with participants from around the globe. The exhibition, events and conferencing industry has been particularly hard hit by the impacts of the Covid-19 virus and its health and safety ramifications. Most events planned for 2020 had to either be postponed or cancelled. The impact of Covid-19 has seen the global exhibition industry revenue reduced to 30 per cent in 2020 compared
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