Re-Start & Unlocking of MICE, Destination Weddings, Events & Exhibition Industry

~ Re-Start & Unlocking of MICE, Destination Weddings, Events & Exhibition Industry ~

New Delhi: The Ever-Growing Spectrum of Event Industry via Corporate, Social, Government, MICE, Live, Exhibitions, Political, Religious, Sports Events provides over 1 crore employment to all. The global events industry size was valued at approx. $1 trillion in 2018 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.3% to reach approx. $2 trillion by 2026. But in India, this industry is growing at 23%, according to EEMA.

The industry has Economic, Opportunistic, Infrastructural, Environmental, Cross- Culture benefits to all. In efforts to stay afloat, the MICE, Destination Weddings, Events & Exhibition Industry have turned to virtual events & webinars. Industry
experts say that this new way of conducting exhibitions & conferences which has offered organizers flexibility and economies of scale.

To get to know more about the present situation and upcoming plannings, let’s hear it from the Event Industry’s Top Personalities.

In the past several months, we have experienced a lot of challenges due to coronavirus (COVID- 19) as it has affected not only Tourism, Events & Exhibitions, Hospitality & Aviation sector but many other segments of the economy.
Now, as the Covid-19 pandemic situation is getting stable with the loosening of restrictions and reopening of public facilities, it will be a combined effort of all Industry Experts to re-start, re-build & re-boost MICE, Destination Weddings, and Events & Exhibition Industry under new health protocols and safety measures.

The safety and well-being of our guests, delegates, exhibitors, colleagues, vendors, and visitors continue to be our top priority. It is very important to keep in mind the government guidelines and SOP’s for re-starting MICE, trade shows, conferences, seminars, weddings. With new safety protocols & health measures, we ensure proper Screening measures before entering the event venue, Measures for exhibitors and visitors during the event following the social distancing at each and every place, Temperature Check, Thermal Screening, Measure for personnel during set-up and dismantling, Hygiene measures inside the event venue, Emergency plan in case of encountering with people at risk of infection must ensure that everyone who is visiting or is inside the exhibition venue must have downloaded Aarogya Setu App, Health Records to be maintained as this will make the entire process safe for all the delegates & visitors.

1. What is your advice/ new SOP’s about safety and health measures for all in re-starting & unlocking MICE, Destination Weddings, and Events & Exhibitions?

EEMA has released an exhaustive reopening guideline in the form of SOP’s for each vertical separately. These SOP’s are quite detailed and shall be followed completely by the organizer which will assure your guests to have relatively safe events.

2. How many guests/delegates/visitors are allowed during the event?

Currently the government has allowed 50 guests for a social event but our request is to open safe events with large gatherings where the protocol of physical distancing can be maintained and followed. We are suggesting the government to allow the number of people in proportion to the size of the venue, with the formula of 4sq mt. per person.

3. What are your expectations from the MICE, destination wedding, events & exhibition post COVID -19?

The event industry will hugely spring back as it’s been a while people have not met, have not celebrated, ideated together, so post the vaccine comes and this pandemic is over people will love to meet each other in person and experience what they have been longing for

4. How to protect the business post COVID-19 pandemic?

This business is not going anywhere, this will remain forever. People meeting each other can never go away because of this pandemic. People meeting people over experiences can never go away

5. What is your advice to the guests/delegates/visitors attending the exhibition post COVID-19?

In our guidelines we have asked all organizers to ensure they communicate the guests of our GSR initiative (Guest Social Responsibility). Guests should be well educated about the protocols and safety measures including sanitization and face covering while maintaining physical distancing during this pandemic and cooperate with us to deliver safe events. We shall further encourage our guests to have this responsibility post the pandemic also so that we can deliver safe and hygienic events at all times.

6. Impact of COVID-19 on bookings done for MICE, Destination Weddings and Events & Exhibitions revenue in 2019 and forecast for 2020?

Our country is always seen as one of the best destination when it comes to weddings, events and exhibitions. Event industry significantly contributes 500,000 to the Indian economy. All large- or small-scale events have been cancelled or indefinitely postponed due to the COVID outbreak which means 100% revenue loss. It is difficult to calculate the exact loss till now but definitely the number is big enough to shake the Indian economy.

7. What precautions do you advise to the guests/delegates/visitors after the coronavirus pandemic is over?

Same as mentioned above in point no. 5

8. What are the things to consider when determining if an event needs to be postponed or cancelled?

One should always be on a look out the venue should be in a green zone from the day of identifying the venue to the day of the event, In case the venue gets into the orange or red zone before or on the day of the event, it should be immediately cancelled or postponed

9. What measures to be taken if any person is found symptomatic during the event?

We have clearly defined an Isolation protocol in our SOP’s which every event needs to have an isolation room which will be in the exteriors of the venue and an identified coordinator who shall have decent knowledge of handling the situation. In case a person is found symptomatic during the event he will be taken to the isolation room from where he can be taken to the nearest hospital for an appropriate treatment. Other guests will be informed so that anyone who has come directly in contact with the particular individual can take necessary measures for the following days.

10. What precaution to be taken to prevent the spread of COVID 19 among the guests during the event?

Our SOP’s clearly speaks about the precaution one needs to follow during the event to prevent the spread of COVID 19 which includes thermal screening before entering the venue, face covering and adequate sanitizer stations throughout the venue which will help them to keep themselves sanitized throughout the event. We shall have all our guests and workers to have Arogya Setu App installed in their phones to have a real time check.

11. What is your advice towards cleanliness and disinfectant of the event premises to avoid spread of COVID 19?

The venue for the event needs to be in a green zone and must provide for an area of 4sq mt. per person in order to follow physical distancing amongst the guests/attendees. All the material and equipments will be sanitized before and after entering the venue. After the setup completion the venue will be sanitized and locked for at least 4 hours to ensure safety of our guests. All the high touch areas will be frequently sanitized before, during and post the event.

12. What lucrative offers does the hospitality industry plans so that more events and exhibitions take place?

We are offering relatively safe events. Safety of an individual is the most important need of the hour, hence We all as event planners have taken a pledge to deliver safe events to all our clients/guests while following all the safety protocols as per the government guidelines. We think no offer can be more lucrative to give assurance of relatively safe events in this time.

1. What is your advice/ new SOP’s about safety and health measures for all in re-starting & unlocking MICE, Destination Weddings, and Events & Exhibitions?

ICPB consulted the MICE industry stakeholders and an organized couple of meetings and draft a details SOPs, Guidelines for MICE Industry. The same was forwarded to the Ministry of Tourism and this will definitely help to address the safety and New Normal challenges and ensure the best experience for all.

2. How many guests/delegates/visitors are allowed during the event?

Our demand is 50% capacity of venue be allowed to conduct the meetings / events, keeping guidelines in mind.

3. What are your expectations from the MICE, destination wedding, events & exhibition post-COVID -19?

The MICE industry is a very key segment for the revival of Economy not only in India but the entire world. In India, Tourism contributes approx. 9-10 % of entire GDPs and a large part of this coming from MICE. Spent on MICE is almost 3 times higher than leisure segments and entire city get benefits in multiplier way.

4. How to protect the business post COVID-19 pandemic?

Unfortunately, Govt had not offered any visible benefits for the tourism industry to survive. Lots of employees are losing jobs day by day and industry demands are going to a deaf ear. Even there is no clear cut plan of Revival is worked by govt. MICE is an economic activity and need the industry status, which is not given by govt yet. There should be a clear cut strategy to protect the business.

On individual basis MICE, players are doing business with Virtual conferences and planning to focus on Hybrid Events once get permission to do physical events. Domestic MICE and Regional MICE will be the top focus for reviving business.

5. What is your advice to the guests/delegates/visitors attending the exhibition post COVID-19?

Strictly follow the guidelines adopted by the organisers and make sure that safe distancing norms are followed along with most of them are prepared the touchpoints checklist and adhering the same.

6. Impact of COVID-19 on bookings done for MICE, Destination Weddings and Events & Exhibitions revenue in 2019 and forecast for 2020?

2020 is completely washed out. Most of the events got cancelled, postponed and everyone waiting for the industry to open and revive. 2020 is the biggest financial year loss for the entire industry and it will take 4-5 years to revive from the negative impact.

7. What precautions do you advise to the guests/delegates/visitors after the coronavirus pandemic is over?

It’s very important that they work with organisers who are ICPB members and recognized and following all the safety measurements and SOPs. Should there be any shortcomings are there, report immediately for taking corrective measures. Avoid crowded places in the meeting zones.

8. What are the things to consider when determining if an event needs to be postponed or cancelled?

Safety First rules. Physical events are getting converted to virtual spaces and I think till we get some sort of solutions to COVID-19 this will keep going.

9. What measures to be taken if any person is found symptomatic during the event?

SOPs in this regard is in place. Each individual health record thru Aarogya Setu App and thermal screening, rapid testing tools and they will be monitored. In case organizer find symptomatic person, they will immediately isolate them under medic supervision available at the venue and Ambulance and Medical assistance will be provided with an approach to nearby best medical care hospitals.

10. What precaution to be taken to prevent the spread of COVID 19 among the guests during the event?

All touch points will be identified and efforts will be made to minimize them to the maximum possible means such as On line pre registration, payments, change on seating arrangements with safe distancing, proper sanitizing of the entire venue, option of packed lunch or serving at outdoor venues or at sitting space, etc.

11. What is your advice towards cleanliness and disinfectant of the event premises to avoid spread of COVID 19?

This is must for each organiser and a very details SOPs are made in this regard, which each one has to follow. All venue providers are conducting in house training to their staff to prevent any such cases and to ensure the highest degree of cleanliness. Before the start of an event and during each break, sanitizing the complete venue, audiovisuals and all other possible touchpoints need to sanitize. The participant will be allowed to enter after proper screening and any symptomatic person will be dealt with complete caution and will be avoided inside the venue.

12. What lucrative offers does the hospitality industry plans so that more events and exhibitions take place?

ICPB is happy to announce the MICE Incentive Scheme under CSSS, where each International Conference with minimum no of attendees 250 and above and out of the 10% (25) as International delegates, will get two (02) nights CGST refunds. The details of the scheme are available at the ICPB office and the same can be obtained. Similarly, with MOT, ICPB is having MDA scheme which also helps DMCs, PCOs, TOs to get business for India and MDA help them in getting bids for India.

1. What is your advice/ new SOP’s about safety and health measures for all in re-starting & unlocking MICE, Destination Weddings, and Events & Exhibitions?

All SOP,s should be followed to some extent, they are important till a certain extent-everything is opening up- I myself am driving back from Jaipur to Noida after 4 meetings-according to me every person should follow what is necessary to keep himself and his surroundings safe- our invisible friend strikes from anywhere – people are not following simple rules like wearing masks- they think just sanitizing our hands is more than enough- strick measures should be taken by hotels and the management people to make sure such basic measures are followed

2. How many guests/delegates/visitors are allowed during the event?

As of now 50. Which includes the entertainment people.

3. What are your expectations from the MICE, destination wedding, events & exhibition post COVID -19?

Everything these days boils down to hygiene- this is going to be a part of our lives for quite some time- we have been allowed to hold events in banquet halls according to their size- social events will carry on – without people we can’t do weddings but as for now I see a lot of virtual exhibitions in the future and exhibitions too as following social distancing is not possible in such venues- we have a tendency of hoarding a place and we do need the public to make these exhibitions a hit

4. How to protect the business post-COVID-19 pandemic?

Business is coming in- budgets are low- we have to be trim and proper in all aspects, starting with logistics- labour- our decor stuff-whatever we use has to be well sanitized and keep ourselves safe- keep taking the business but take care of ourselves first.

5. What is your advice to the guests/delegates/visitors attending the exhibition post COVID-19?

It’s the same advice- be safe than sorry

6. Impact of COVID-19 on bookings done for MICE, Destination Weddings and Events & Exhibitions revenue in 2019 and forecast for 2020?

We have been hit harder than we thought- I would rather omit the five months of the crucial time and focus on what’s coming up for us- and make up for what we have lost.

7. What precautions do you advise to the guests/delegates/visitors after the coronavirus pandemic is over?

God knows when this will be over – it’s here to stay in our lives for some time at least- we have tried to keep ourselves safe and we would continue to do so- first preference should be yourself – your family- the people you love and the people around you- don’t take coronavirus for granted- keep yourself safe- now- it’s in our hand

8. What are the things to consider when determining if an event needs to be postponed or cancelled?

Right now I don’t think anything will be cancelled-but good contracts – paperwork with people you are dealing with- should have a clause of COVID in them.

9. What measures to be taken if any person is found symptomatic during the event?

Raise an alarm- same measures what we have been following- A trained nurse should be appointed in all events- and then the usual – the new normal of keeping ourselves sanitized and safe.

10. What precaution to be taken to prevent the spread of COVID 19 among the guests during the event?

This is not in our hands- we don’t even get to know who the person has interacted with- I don’t think we can take any precautions- we have to take care before everyone enters the premises

11. What is your advice towards cleanliness and disinfectant of the event premises to avoid spread of COVID 19?

It’s the same- venue to be sanitized 2 hours before the event starts – rest all up to you

12. What lucrative offers does the hospitality industry plan so that more events and exhibitions take place?

We have to wait and watch- everyone is working towards this- everyone wants the business to get back.

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