In the past few weeks, we’ve seen some experimental conference in meetings in destinations around the world. So, what’s happening abroad and how does that compare to the UK?
The Netherlands
In Holland there’s an organisation called Fieldlab Events, which is a collaboration between the Dutch government with companies, interest groups and the public. They are running an experimental programme to test different events (business and public) and situations (inside and outside, seated, standing, different social distancing and capacities etc.) to see how the Coronavirus limitations can be eased.
On 15th February, there was a test conference for 500 people, called Back to Live. The venue was the purpose-built Beatrix Theatre in Utrecht. Various measures were put in place:
- Everyone had to have a negative Covid test before attending
- Temperatures were taken on arrival
- They were divided into separate groups, using different entrances and washrooms
- They were fitted with movement sensors
- Some had to wear a mask, some sat behind screens
- All have to take another Covid test 5-days afterwards
The event was a success and the result from this event was that one person tested positive for Covid after the event, but it wasn’t traced back to attendance.
There are more events in the pipeline over the next 8 months, with Covid-19 prevention measures in place to test:
- 50% capacity with 75% sitting/25% standing
- 100% capacity with 50% sitting/50% standing
- 100% capacity with 25% sitting/75% standing
- 100% capacity with a mixture of sitting/standing
- 100% capacity with no measures
There was also a Dutch Music Festival experiment on the 20th of March, 2021 for 1,500 people.
All attendees were tested for COVID-19 48-hours before entering the grounds, while 150 rapid tests were also randomly administered at the entrance. 26 people who tested positive were not admitted. In the event everyone had to wear a motion tracker and download a location-tracking app to monitor their movements and contact moments. Face masks were mandatory, however, everyone took them off minutes after the party started and no one stopped them.
Singapore
Singapore has recently held two experimental events:
1. The PCMA Convening Leaders 2021 conference
This conference was held at Marina Bay Sands as a hybrid event, 11th-15th January 2021. Usually there are around 4,000 attendees, but this time there were 300 delegates at the live event and 3,000 joined virtually.
The Marina Bay Sands created a Global Broadcast Centre for keynote speakers, expert panels and face-to-face experiences and local cultural tours. Delegates had to test negative for Covid before departure, on arrival and they were tested on-site before entering. Other safety measures included limits on crowd density; social distancing; ensuring a safe and clean environment; and preparing for emergencies relating to Covid-19.
Travel Revive was Singapore’s first trade show during Covid-19 and took place at Singapore’s Sands Expo & Convention Centre in November 2020. It was also a hybrid event
This was a two-day exhibition with almost 1,000 local and international delegates, both local and international. The safety measures also focused on crowd density; grouping attendees; contact tracing; meeting booths with screens and a diary app to book meetings between buyers and exhibitors.
United Arab Emirates
The UAE has been open to visitors since July 2020 and business events recommenced in October 2020. Staff at venues taking a PCR test every week. Attendees will have to have a test with a negative result within 48-hours of the event. The capacity for business events is 50% of previous attendance.
To set the health and safety protocols, Dubai firstly held a half day event with 600 attendees from a local audience. They looked at what worked and this enabled them to put a set of guidelines in place, resulting is several international association events taking place at the end of 2020.
- Expo 2020 Dubai
This event has been postponed for a year and will now take place from 1st October 2021 to 31st March 2021. Some areas of the site are already open. About 190 countries are participating and the UK will have a pavilion at the event. International exhibitors and visitors are expected, with strict Covid-19 measures in place.
Conferences, meetings and exhibitions have been taking place since summer 2020, with social distancing, wearing masks, reduced capacities, improved cleaning and sanitation.
Spain – Barcelona
On 20th March, there was a music event for 5,000 people in Barcelona. They all had to test for Covid and have a negative result. Temperatures and IDs were checked on arrival. Attendees did not have to keep physically apart, but they still wore masks. Rapid testing was carried out onsite. Everyone will be retested on 25th and 26th March. The results have yet to be announced
UK
The events research programme has planned a series of up to 15 test events in April and May. The first ones will are:
- World Snooker Championship at the Crucible in Sheffield on 17 April
- FA Cup Semi Final, Wembley Stadium on 17 April
- World Snooker Championship, Sheffield Crucible Theatre
- Luna Cinema, Liverpool
- League Cup Final
- ACC Business Event, Liverpool
- Circus Nightclub, Liverpool
- FA Cup Final, Wembley Stadium
- Outdoor gig, Sefton Park Liverpool
The pilots will be run across a range of settings, venues, and activities with the intention of full reopening of similar settings in multiple sectors later in the summer. The World Snooker Championship reported no Covid-19 cases afterwards.
As we receive information about the success of these events we will publish further articles.
