19, 20 en 21 March 2024 | Evenementenhal Gorinchem

Trade fairs will continue as usual, full reopening

During the corona press conference on February 15th, the Dutch cabinet said: “We are more resistant to the virus due to vaccinations, booster shots and acquired immunity. So the Netherlands is going to open up.” Only a number of basis advice, such as not shaking hands, hygiene, ventilation and getting tested when you have symptoms. For (trade) fairs this means that they can continue as usual. So even without a corona entry pass, face masks and social distancing.

 

“We are extremely happy! Two years ago, the world turned upside down and the event industry was hit extremely hard. Now it’s time to open our doors again, and without measures. We are looking forward to a fantastic spring with many wonderful events”, says CEO Jeroen van Hooff of event organizer Easyfairs Netherlands.

 

At indoor locations accommodating more than 500 people where there is no assigned seating, for example night clubs and festivals, everyone must show a negative test result. This does not apply at events where there is a continuous flow of visitors, such as trade fairs and conferences.

 

Smart Badge technology

It is advisable for everyone to keep following the recommendations that have proven effective in limiting the spread of the virus: washing your hands, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, getting tested when you have symptoms and not shaking hands. Before corona, it was already possible at all Easyfairs trade fairs to collect contactless information using our Smart Badge technology. Upon arrival, every visitor receives the so-called Smart Badge, a badge with a special integrated chip. Whit this Smart Badge you can easily scan exhibitor stands by sliding the smart badge over the badge reader of the exhibitor. The badge reader is the special reader that every exhibitor receives and must place visibly on their stand. After your exhibition visit, you will receive an e-mail with an overview of all exhibitors that you have scanned.

 

Every visit is a safe visit

Your safety has always been one of our top priorities, and now more than ever. Our events and venues are doing everything to be the cleanest and safest places to meet and do business. Your health and wellbeing is our top priority. We have raised our already high standards of hygiene and developed new health and safety protocol to meet the challenges presented by corona. Our partnerships with SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, ensures that Easyfairs meets the highest international standards for health and safety. We are working hard to make every visit a safe visit.

In this fourth step, events with throughput (such as fairs and festivals) are allowed again. This means that we can and will organize trade fairs and events again from June 26th. And most importantly: trade fairs and events can be organized again with 100% of the visitor capacity and the 1,5 meter distance can also be released during a trade fair or event.

In short, there are two options:

• Option 1: Calculate the maximum capacity of an event location for 1 person per 10m2, including measures such as face masks, 1,5 meters distance, health check, separating visitor flows and pre-booking.
• Option 2: All measures can be released after showing a negative test, certificate of recovery or vaccination. So no face masks and 1,5 meters distance.

Provided: we always follow the advice from the Dutch government. In addition to this big step 4, there is also a final, fifth step. In this last step, the CoronaCheck’s are stopped. We don’t know when this final step will be taken.

Until the Dutch government decides otherwise, Easyfairs Netherlands opts for option 2 for all its trade fairs and events. This means that when step 4 is still in effect, the CoronaCheck is still active. This allows our fairs and events to continue as usual. It means: with 100% of the visitor capacity and without face caps, 1,5 meters distance and so on. Our decision is supported by, among others, the local authorities with whom we are in close contact.

Until step 5, the last step, has not yet started, the CoronaCheck is still active. This check is done using the CoronaCheck App. On this, people can show that they have been vaccinated, have tested negative for corona or have had corona.

Yes that’s right. We follow the guidelines from the government that indicate that events can continue again, because the corona situation has improved significantly due to the vaccination program. We also believe that it is safe and responsible to allow trade fairs and events to take place again. Whether we can start from step 4 or step 5, all scenarios are ready to start again.

The role of trade fairs and events is very important in many ways. There are several sectors in the Netherlands that have experienced the negative consequences of the corona pandemic. The Dutch government therefore sees trade fairs as the drivers of the recovery of the economy. This is where supply and demand come together and tomorrow’s innovations are presented and were Dutch business meets. There are industries that realize up to 40% of their annual turnover on events. A trade fair is also important for other service providers, such as stand builders. The local and regional economy also benefits when a trade fair or event takes place, such as hotels, taxis, etc.

Recently, we have conducted a large-scale survey among visitors to trade fairs taking place this autumn. In total, more than 6,000 respondents took part. This showed that 90% of the visitors plan to visit trade fairs again this autumn. In addition, this survey was conducted before the press conference on May 28th, in which it was announced that there is a good chance that events will be allowed again from June 26th. We expect that the willingness among visitors has increased further after this press conference.

Easyfairs Netherlands follows the measures taken by the government.

Initially, we follow the measures from the government. In any case, we have further optimized our air treatment systems in the past period. This also helps limit the transmission of respiratory infections, such as COVID-19. In addition, there is now an even healthier and more pleasant indoor climate in our exhibition halls.

Yes, the catering at our fairs and events is open. We also follow government guidelines.

In case of cancellation by the exhibitor, the cancellation conditions as included in the terms and conditions. If Easyfairs have to decide to cancel a fair or event unexpectedly, Easyfairs will examine one-by-one whether the relevant event can be moved to a new date.

We advise you to follow our website, social media channels and recommend you to subscribe to the newsletter on the website of the fair or events you are interested in.

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