(Pictured: Managing Director and CEO of UFI Kai Hattendorf)
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has published a global framework aimed at the safe and controlled reopening of exhibitions and B2B trade events around the world. The document is intended to become a de facto standard in exchanges with policy makers and authorities around the world.
The framework is put together by a specialist task force of partners and industry leaders, whose operational recommendations reflect emerging regulatory conditions around the world. It provides an advocacy narrative on why exhibitions must be prioritized for reopening, which UFI is counting on industry stakeholders to endorse.
All aspects of exhibition design and delivery are accommodated in the framework, ranging from the event environment to a wholesale reconsideration of the customer journey. It sets out to provide governments and health authorities around the world with the information they require to confidently green-light exhibitions once again.
“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 framework is intended as a working document, subject to ongoing input that will be used to provide concrete examples. As a result, the benefit of the framework is not only operational, but political. The framework includes around 30 items that will ensure that exhibitions can run in a safe environment. It covers areas like personnel and personal safety, physical distancing, increased health and safety regulations, the implementation of crowd control, and the encouragement and enforcement regulations—all before, during and after the event respectively.
By embracing and promoting the framework, the industry can not only ensure a unified approach to their day-to-day management but engage in re-opening talks with authorities and governments on all levels—the bodies that give license for exhibitions to take place.
UFI will continue the exchange with organizers, venues, service providers and industry associations to add further input and expand the framework with concrete examples of good practice from around the world. Ongoing dialogue with the industry as a whole will increase both the framework’s efficacy, and the likelihood that stakeholders adhere to its stated health and safety recommendations.
UFI Managing Director and CEO Kai Hattendorf says, “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. By pledging to ensure the health and safety of all exhibition participants, tradeshows 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, and the association will be advocating the role of exhibitions to kick start national economies. For more on GED 2020 and the GED lobbying campaign, visit www.ufi.org/ged.
The following organizations have been part of the task force to prepare and agree this framework, which is a global representation of the exhibition industry.
Exhibition organizers
Clarion Events, Informa Markets, Reed Exhibitions, Tarsus Group
Organizers and venues
Corferias, Dubai World Trade Centre, Fira de Barcelona, GL events, Koelnmesse, La Rural, Grupa MTP, RAI Amsterdam
Exhibition venues
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Johannesburg Expo Centre, MGM Re-sorts International, Shanghai New International Exhibition Centre, Shenzhen World Ex-hibition & Convention Centre, The NEC
Associations
AEO – Association of Event Organisers, AEV – Association of Event Venues, AFIDA – Asociacion Internacional de Ferias America, AUMA – Association of the German Trade Fair Industry, EEIA – European Exhibition Industry Alliance, ESSA – Event Supplier and Services Association, IELA – International Exhibition Logistics Association, IFES – International Federation of Exhibition & Event Services, SISO – Society of Independent Show Organisers and TCEB – Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau
Service providers/general contractors
Freeman, GES and GL events
The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry: UFI is the global trade association of the world’s tradeshow organizers and exhibition center operators, as well as the major national and international exhibition associations, and selected partners of the exhibition industry. UFI’s main goal is to represent, promote and support the business interests of its members and the exhibition industry. UFI directly represents more than 50,000 exhibition industry employees globally, and also works closely with its 60 national and regional association members. More than 800 member organizations in 89 countries around the world are presently signed up as members. Around 1,000 international trade fairs proudly bear the UFI-approved label, a quality guarantee for visitors and exhibitors alike. UFI members continue to provide the international business community with a unique marketing media aimed at developing outstanding face-to-face business opportunities. For more info, visit www.ufi.org, email media@ufi.org or call +33 (0)1 46 39 75 00. For more info on the framework, visit www.ufi.org/coronavirus.
