EDITOR’S COMMENT

The uncertain future

The world has changed so much over the last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and yet there is still a desperate need for faceto-face engagement.

People need human interaction; it is just not the same over a virtual platform.

That is good news for our sector.

The hybrid and virtual platforms have certainly made conferences, exhibitions and meetings possible over this difficult period; but, from research done, it will not be a replacement for face-to-face meetings, exhibitions, events.

Sure, there is also the matter of trust that needs to be rebuilt. This trust needs to start with the destination, South Africa as a whole. Vaccines will go a long way in ensuring this, as well as extensive health and safety protocols.

The world isn’t the same, there is no normal, we are living in the twilight zone with our face masks, sanitisers and the fear of an invisible enemy.

Yet, we are still here! We are survivors! We, as the business events industry, are ready; all the footwork has been done in our sector to ensure that we can operate safely and yet we are restricted while shopping malls have no restrictions on entry numbers.

This remains my biggest criticism as I just don’t understand, why? What I do know is that our sector is not able to operate due to the roadblocks put up by government in what appears to be a lack of understanding and the incorrect classification of the entire sector, lumped in with mass gatherings.

The Restart Expo which took place at the end of 2020 proved to the authorities that exhibitions and events are able to take place safely, with all the required Covid-19 health and safety protocols in place. The event reiterated that the business events sector should not be classified as mass gatherings, but rather as organised, controlled events that would be completely Covid-19 compliant.

Over the last few months our sector has been through the ringer. We are one of the hardest hit sectors and, over the months, the industry has proved repeatedly that we are ready to operate with all the necessary protocols in place. Yet, we still have no answers from government. We are all waiting for the green light from the powers that be.

What more can we do?

All the sector is asking for is 50% venue capacity. This will make all the difference to the business events industry.

With 50% venue capacity, our industry will bounce back in no time. We are ready! Give us the green light!

Irene

Email: gomesi@iafrica.com