EXSA NEWS
Captain’s log:
EXSA’s Stardate October 2020 With our industry underway at warp seven for 187+ days, we are now entering orbit around a Level 1 lockdown, which has never been charted. By Gill Gibbs, chairperson of EXSA
P
resident Cyril Ramaphosa recently announced the country’s drop to Covid-19 Alert Level 1. However, we remain in a priority one situation and united in this battle. It has been almost seven months since our industry community experienced the devastating news of the numerous cancellations of exhibitions and events that were scheduled for 2020. Make no mistake, we are still in the marathon, battle scarred and weary, with a shift in focus now on what the next steps look like and what we can do as a united community to contribute towards achieving the much-needed outcomes. The combined efforts over the past six months by the 13 associations that represented the SA Events Council and of which EXSA is a founding association member, resulted in securing the SAEC representation with the desired ‘’seat at the table’’ with policy makers and stakeholders such as the Department of Tourism and the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC), whereby we presented our industry sector; the Reopening Guidelines for Organisers and
Event Planners to hold events that are strictly managed under Covid-19 safety protocols and the financial plight of our Industry as a result of the forced closure. Our primary objectives included: a) a Covid-19 prevention strategy, implementation and phased approach execution for our sector. The Reopening Guidelines are currently being reviewed by the policy makers, the Department of Health and the National Crisis Command Centre. b) the desired ‘green light’, phased approach for the MICE and Business Events sector and; c) presenting the plight of our Industry as a direct result of the devastating financial losses. We have been heard. Alert Level 1 means that in our sector exhibition and events can open, provided that the number of people attending does not exceed 50 per cent of the normal capacity of a venue, up to a maximum of 250 people for indoor gatherings and 500 people for outdoor gatherings. Indeed, we are still classified as
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gatherings – our combined efforts will continue by way of substantiating our sector to the policy makers and stakeholders and establishing an appropriate category insofar as our Industry activities are concerned. Eyes are on us and we must prepare and plan in order to take up the mantle.
What are the next steps? There is so much to be done and it starts with instilling and building confidence and morale. The industry needs each of us to play our part and to participate in our recovery.
Reflecting on EXSA 2020 to date: Disasters have occurred across history, with businesses and industries decimated as a result. We are in a human crisis and crisis management is all of our jobs. Thank you to our members and the greater industry community for trusting us to represent each of you – we are heading into the home strait and the start our recovery and we look forward to getting there with you.
www.businesseventsafrica.com
