Pictured L-R: Evan Li from UFI China Office; Xianjin Chen from the Shanghai Convention & Exhibition Industries Association; Vicki Bedi, IELA Chairman; Thomas Löffler from Messe Muenchen Shanghai Co., Ltd.; and Guido Fornelli, IELA vice chairman during the presentation of the IELA Security Guidelines.
Believing that local networking events are essential to build the bridge between all industry partners, the first IELA CONNECT took place in Shanghai on October 15 at the JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai Tomorrow Square. The new event sought to strengthen the relationship between the stakeholders of the exhibition industry at a local scale and reinforce safety and security standards. There were 33 delegates from 15 countries at the first edition of IELA CONNECT, among them were key associations, organizers and venue operators. They launched and shared IELA’s Security Guidelines.
Since 2015, IELA has emphasized safety and security through multiple initiatives. These initiatives bring exhibition venues, show organizers and service providers together to share best practices and establish standards of occupational health and safety as well as security for the entire industry. Vicki Bedi, IELA chairman, points out, “Releasing the IELA Security Guidelines is a great honor for our association and a demonstration, once again, of the mission of our members to deliver beyond our standards of performance. We extend our sincerest gratitude to Dominique Geiser, chairman of the IELA Standards and Customs Working Group, Simon Garrett, managing director, X-Venture Global Risk Solution and Jim Kelty, member of the IELA Board of Management, for sharing their considerable expertise and time to develop the IELA Security Guidelines. And we want to thank all attendees who joined IELA CONNECT to discuss Security and OH&S Standards and work together for a safer and more secure exhibition industry.”
Dominique Geiser adds, “This initiative of IELA steers our industry in the right direction to advance its efforts to face any unexpected circumstances in our daily workplace, whether on-site or in the office. More importantly, IELA shows that the well-being of not only its members but also other exhibition professionals, visitors etc. is at the forefront of our concerns as they are confronted on a daily basis by high risks. In being prepared on all eventualities and working
in accordance with the IELA Security Guidelines, IELA’s OH&S Guidelines and our Standards of Performance, IELA members will once again differentiate themselves from the crowd as a trusted partner for organizers in the exhibitions industry worldwide.”
The next edition of IELA CONNECT will take place in October 2019. The core topic next year will be Sustainability.
The International Exhibition Logistics Association is the global industry network enhancing the professionalism of the transportation logistics and freight handling segments of the exhibition and event industry. IELA works with venue owners, organizers and national associations educating, training and sharing expertise for safe and secure operations around the world. The quality brand IELA is currently represented by 171 members and 32 affiliates in 55 countries. For more info, visit www.iela.org.
