While most trade shows and events have been canceled or postponed, a number of them are still going on as planned. Although these gatherings will never be the same again, surveys are showing more and more individuals in favor of F2F (Face to Face) shows occurring. Hotels and conference spaces are doing their part by releasing their safety plans to ensure the health of the public. (MGM Resorts released theirs here.)
From suggestions throughout the trade show community, we have these 5 tips for those attending reopened trade show for event go-ers and vendors alike
- Prior to attending the shows, ensure employees are temperature screened as well as assessed for symptoms of infection. This assessment should be done prior to entering the show floor/booth for every day of the show. If you have reason to believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19, self-quarantine and do not enter the show. (The CDC released a COVID-19 “CARE Kit” that can help define these symptom checklists for you!)
- Wearing masks gives you a personal portable barrier for not only yourself but also conference go-ers.
- Place 6-foot distancing guidelines around your booth in the form of stickers, signs, or banners and ensure that staff are adhering to the policy. Having plexiglass barriers on hand, like our rolling GoGuard Plexiglass barriers or our PowerPlex countertop barriers, can aid in your practice of safe social distancing.
- Invent a fun new way for your booth staff to greet customers without having to shake hands. We’ve seen some interesting alternatives, like the “eyebrow flash” or a simple hand over heart.
- Periodically disinfect your booth space with antibacterial spray or at least 80% alcohol solution. Spray bottles of 80% hand sanitizer is a perfect way to disinfect surfaces and hands alike! Our sister company stocks these in bulk here.
On top of these preparations, trade show managers should also continually assess the current conditions of the area you will be attending in terms of the COVID-19 outbreak. New cases and infection rates should be at the forefront of your mind when considering attending or presenting at a trade show. Additionally, creating a contingency plan for if the trade show organizers decide to cancel or postpone the event at the last minute can be beneficial especially when organizing travel for large groups and booths to and from shows.
Prior to participating in these events, trade show managers can help encourage the practice of everyday preventive actions throughout their company and the group that plans to attend by utilizing health materials developed by the CDC. These can serve as reminders of basic health practices that can help prevent individuals from contracting the virus or potentially being carriers when traveling. Another great resource to check out is the International Association of Exhibitions and Event’s “Essential considerations for Safely Reopening Exhibitions and Events”.
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