29 Jul the return to live events
The announcement of the reopening of the event industry is a step in the right direction for welcoming back live events. However, while this is music to our ears we still seeking to gain clarity over the guidelines yet to be released on exactly how this will look to confidently start planning larger-scale events with for our clients.
For now, we can confirm the below guidance and milestones:
- Event venues, excluding exhibition and conference centres, are now allowed to hold meetings of up to 30 people if social distancing can be maintained and the venue can demonstrate that is has followed COVID-19 guidance. To demonstrate that it has adhered to the latest guidance, venues must conduct a risk assessment to provide the necessary assurance to government and confidence to delegates that these steps have been followed. We will work with venues to ensure this is all covered off and recommended that venues obtain the “AIM Secure” accreditation and VisitBritain’s “We’re Good to Go” standard.
- From 1 August, exhibition and conference centres will be allowed to open their doors for showcase purposes only, with small groups of up to 30 people able to view the facilities and develop plans for future events on-site. Exhibition and conference centres should strictly not be open to host and deliver events during this period, with selected pilot venues set to support a full October reopening.
- From 1 October, it is then expected that events of all types, including trade shows, consumer shows, exhibitions and conferences, will be allowed to operate at capacities compliant with the social distancing of 2 metres, or 1 metre with mitigation. Where such events involve prolonged speaking, any mitigation must include attention to the ventilation of the event space and will be subject to the latest advice from Public Health England.
As an agency, we are working closely with our industry bodies and in support with the wider industry to gain full clarity on guidelines in good time for planning for events following the 1st October 2020. We are certain that with full guidance, we can help our clients to confidently plan their events and the host and deliver them safely and effectively.
So, for now, we say hold fire on planning until we have the full guidelines, but watch this space as LIVE events are making a come back and I am sure like us you can’t wait to get back to the meeting, celebrating and engaging with your employees and clients in the flesh.