AusLeisure

The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) has welcomed the clarification from the New South Wales (NSW) Department of Health that exhibitions are able to restart immediately.  

EEAA Chief Executive, Claudia Sagripanti advised “in NSW, the Department of Health has provided clarification this week that exhibitions, can operate with no capacity limit, subject to one person per 4 metre2 of space and 1.5 metre social distancing. This means our industry is open for business in most states around Australia.

“The clarification issued in the Public Health Order for Gathering and Movement allows all Function Centres (which includes ‘Exhibition Centres”) with a COVID-19 Safety Plan to operate at the 4 metre2 rule to the venue capacity. NSW’s world-class venues have commenced planning for the safe return of exhibitions, with a number of events confirmed to take place from early 2021.

“Conferences, at this stage, remain subject to NSW Government capacity limits of 300 persons per event.  

“This is excellent news and a real boost in confidence for the exhibition and business events industries and the wide-range of businesses which make up the supply chain. Businesses particularly those small and medium businesses, can plan their marketing efforts with some certainty to showcase and source new products and services, and to meet, trade and collaborate. “

Sagripanti added “the permission for exhibitions to go ahead in NSW, coupled with the Federal Government’s $50 million Business Events Grant Program provides critical momentum towards re-energising the business events industry.”

The EEAA Board and Chief Executive, Claudia Sagripanti have been actively working with the State Government Chief Medical Officers and State Government Ministers to negotiate the return of business events under CovidSafe guidelines in all Australian states.

The EEAA launched a social media campaign in July anchored around the core message that the industry is #ExpoReady and ready to get back to business in a safe and controlled environment. A second phase of the campaign included the production of a Safe Operating Framework, outlining best-practice health and safety protocols that the industry can follow and incorporate with their own COVIDSafe plans to facilitate the safe return of business events. The framework is available here.  https://eeaa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/EEAA-COVID19-SAFE-OPERATING-FRAMEWORK.pdf

The campaign was used to demonstrate to Government the importance of exhibitions and business events in helping to rebuild the Australian economy post the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sagripanti notes “Exhibitions and business events are the key to rebuilding economies,  the focus of our lobbying work with Government has been to highlight the sector’s capability to restart the economy – a top priority for business and Governments in the current climate.

“The business events sector contributes more than $35 billion to GDP, runs over 430,000 events annually and employs more than 229,000 people. Exhibitions are a significant contributor to the Business Events sector and are by far the largest event type on a per event basis in terms of average direct expenditure and attendances per event. The sector is a major contributor to Australia both financially and for its ability to expand marketplaces by bringing together buyers and sellers and offering a platform for launching innovation and new product.”

Image: EEAA Chief Executive, Claudia Sagripanti

Related Articles

16th October 2020 - EEAA Young Stars to host virtual exchange on key challenges facing young members of business events community

27th August 2020 - EEAA launches webinars to gain industry insight on the return of in-person exhibitions and business events

6th August 2020 - EEAA launches #ExpoReady campaign

23rd July 2020 - EEAA launches program to support young members of the business events community

4th June 2020 - EEAA online webinar highlights Australian business events industry ready to restart face-to-face events

20th May 2020 - EEAA to lead Global Exhibitions Day 2020

8th May 2020 - EEAA calls on governments to expedite restart date for domestic business events

5th March 2020 - Workplace equality promoted at EEAA 2020 International Women’s Day Breakfast

27th February 2020 - EEAA to explore workplace equality in celebration of International Women’s Day 2020

21st January 2020 - EEAA appoints Claudia Sagripanti as Chief Executive

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