As restrictions start to ease across countries, Reed Exhibitions’ events globally are sharing their best practice and experience of running COVID-safe face-to-face and hybrid events, including with Arabian Travel Market (ATM).
ATM will take place in Dubai on 16th-19th May, 2021. Following the physical event, there will be a digital element to cater for those unable to travel, with ATM Virtual (24th-26th May).
Reed Exhibitions continues to work closely with local and national governments and public health associations as part of their Global COVID-19 ‘Safety Shows’ Health and Safety strategy, launched in January 2021.
Focused on: collaboration, risk management, planning, communications and safeguarding measures, the plan keeps pace with the evolving pandemic, operating best practice, emerging research and the global (public) health response, as the industry gradually adapts and reopens for business.
Asia Pacific was the first region to emerge from national restrictions and in China, Reed Huabo Exhibition Co Ltd held its major gifts and houseware fair in Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center in June 2020.
Reed Exhibitions Japan has been able to hold hybrid events since autumn 2020, catering for professionals in sectors such as fashion, gifts, electronics, construction, cars, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, IT, marketing and agriculture.
In September 2020, Lifestyle Week in Tokyo welcomed 16,817 on-site visitors to meet 283 exhibitors from across Japan for two days. The event also offered an ‘exhibitor not-present’ package in order to engage beyond borders.
In Thailand, Reed Tradex’s, machine tools event Metalex in Bangkok was held in November 2020.
In February 2021, Reed Exhibitions Russia held two face-to-face events:
Aquatherm Moscow – the largest exhibition for the household and industrial equipment sectors, welcoming 9,693 industry representatives during the 4-day show with 113 participants and the National Aviation Infrastructure Forum and Show NAIS 2021, whichhosted 2,933 industry representatives at the physical event and more than 80 exhibitors.
Reed Exhibitions events have also taken place in Turkey, Vietnam, India and Korea and in March 2021, Reed Exhibitions USA ran its first face-to-face event in Miami Beach – the JIS.
Anna Dycheva-Smirnova, CEO of Reed Exhibitions UK, Russia, Turkey, Middle East and India commented:
“Our commitment to the health and safety of all our customers, visitors and staff remains our number one priority. Our framework to reopen shows safely has meant that we can reopen in markets as soon as restrictions are lifted and our teams around the world are leading the way in producing excellent events that blend face to face with virtual in order to give our audiences the best possible experience.
“The feedback from our customers is that face to face events are incredibly important to them and their businesses.
“All attendees, whether physical or digital, have been keen to nurture existing business contacts and make fresh connections to put them in the best position for the post-pandemic recovery.”
Dycheva-Smirnova continued:
“Our secure approach demonstrates that we are able to run COVID-19 safe and compliant shows in the countries where we are permitted and that we are fully prepared to do so in other countries as they carefully reopen.
“We are committed to providing a stimulating and engaging experience for delegates at ATM as we know how important the show is for the travel trade to look for business connections and discover information about post-pandemic markets, to help prepare for the new normal.”
There are more than 400 events in the Reed Exhibitions portfolio, and, despite restrictions caused by Covid-19, the company ran 103 face-to-face events in 2020and has organised 18 in 2021 – to date.
In addition, in 2020 Reed Exhibitions ran 71 online events which helped its customers find new products or suppliers and learn about their industry.