Exhibitions Day looked a little bit different this year. The virtual one-day event mobilized more than 1,600 industry professionals to raise awareness of the events industry's impact on the economy. 

Two event professionals have launched a consultancy service and organization to help ensure the events and hospitality industries become more diverse and inclusive. 

"Compassion in the workplace — or TLC, as I like to call it — is not as sticky a proposition as it may seem," writes Jeff Steen. "It doesn't make you seem weak. It reaffirms that you know what's most important about any business anywhere: the people. And when the people are cared for, listened to, and supported, then the business thrives."

The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia welcomed the announcement by the Western Australian State Government on the next steps out of COVID-19 restrictions, with the removal of all venue capacity limits from July 18.

The Latin American events industry was expected to grow in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic means that the sector is now facing its worst year in two decades. Despite this, professionals working in Latin American countries could turn challenges into opportunities. 

SOURCE: Trade Show Executive 

While shifting your in-person event online may be challenging, there are still benefits to holding virtual events. 

The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies has won the legal battle after taking Data Marketers Inc. to court, accusing the business of using the association's Pack Expo logo to help it sell fake attendee lists. “This order represents a victory for associations and other trade show organizers that find themselves victims of trademark infringement and unauthorized vendors attempting to sell fake lists and other services,” said Laura Thompson, vice president, trade shows, for PMMI.

Presenteeism happens when employees show up to work without being fully engaged. The combination of boredom and repetitive tasks might allow workers too much time to look for problems, which can lead to toxicity in the workplace. 

The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre will re-open after the Malaysian government announced that business events of up to 250 people would be allowed again.

"The risk as a marketer of appearing tone deaf to the current situation is ever present in my mind," writes Nicole Bowman, MBA, VP of Marketing & Communications, IAEE and CEIR. "Each communication we send out is carefully scrutinized for tone, possible reaction by the audience, and other factors."