Events Industry Council Releases Resources for B2B and B2C Exhibitions Accepted Practices Guide

The Events Industry Council (EIC) released the Resources for B2B and B2C Exhibitions Accepted Practices Guide. It is the latest guide produced by EIC’s APEX COVID-19 Business Recovery Task Force.

The guide examines the current state of trade shows and exhibitions followed by risk management tools and phases for recovery. Similar to other APEX resource guides, the sections are filled with industry resources, best practices and case studies. 

"We continue to connect, adapt, innovate, and place a strong focus on the delivery of safe and impactful experiences; there are exhibitions now taking place delivering value to stakeholders. One of the primary intentions of this resource is to continue to foster the close collaboration that will be key to not only our recovery but to our future,” said Amy Calvert, CEO, Events Industry Council. “When deciding whether an exhibition, trade show or trade fair can stage an in-person event, organisers must have the data to understand what factors are necessary to foster trust and confidence in the safety of and the value derived from the experience.”  

“There is no question that COVID-19 will have both short-term and long-term effects on the trade and show industries,” said B2B and B2C Exhibitions working group Chair Julia Smith, CEM, CTA, Senior Vice President, Exhibition Sales, GES. “This guide delivers the resources needed to approach future events with creativity, flexibility, and ingenuity.”

The EIC B2B and B2C Exhibitions Guide focuses on:

• The impact of COVID-19 on the exhibitions sector and its stakeholders, including supply chain partners
• Key questions for show organisers and their partners to ask of each other when considering in-person or virtual events
• Risk assessment guidance, duty of care responsibilities, and considerations for design decisions that minimise risk and promote the development of shared objectives
• COVID-19 effects on sustainability and social impact considerations for events
• Best practices for safety and security that are being instituted as in-person exhibitions return

Previous releases of EIC accepted practices guides and supporting materials include: the Meeting and Event Design Accepted Practices Guide, a Code of Conduct, Health and Safety for Hotels Accepted Practices Guide, EIC Principles for Recovery, Key Questions for Event Organisers, Resources for Workforce and Wellness Accepted Practices Guide, Business Continuity Guide, and Resources for Destinations Best Practices Guide. Links to all EIC Apex Task Force Industry Resources can be found here.

The APEX COVID-19 Business Recovery Task Force is led by Co-chairs Michael Dominguez, President and CEO, Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI), and Kristin Horstman, Senior Director, Strategic Events, Salesforce. With representation from across the many sectors and regions of the global events ecosystem, the APEX COVID-19 Business Recovery Task Force provides a voice in planning, preparing and participating in our recovery and our future. 

The full roster of Task Force members can be found on the EIC website here. 

About the Events Industry Council

The Events Industry Council’s more than 30 member organisations represent over 103,500 individuals and 19,500 firms and properties involved in the events industry. The Events Industry Council’s vision is to be the global champion for event professionals and event industry excellence. It promotes high standards and professionalism in the events industry with the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) programme and signature programme activities. The CMP credential is recognised globally as the badge of excellence in the events industry. The qualifications for certification are based on professional experience, education and a rigorous exam. The four signature programmes – Sustainability and Social Impact, Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX), Knowledge and Leadership – represent the key initiatives, assets, services and products for the Events Industry Council. Learn more online at www.eventscouncil.org.