Global exhibition organiser Informa Markets has launched its hygiene and safety standard, Informa AllSecure, to the Middle East market. Incorporating a set of enhanced measures, the company’s new standard is aimed at ensuring the safety of attendees and staff at its physical events.
The standard was developed in collaboration with associations UFI and AEO and the US-based Society of Independent Organisers (SISO). venues, suppliers and relevant authorities also contributed.
Informa AllSecure ncludes 10 priority commitments to be followed by all Informa events around the world.
Peter Hall (pictured), President of EMEA, Informa Markets, said: “Informa AllSecure has been specially created to bolster confidence in the events industry and to ensure that everyone involved in our physical events can connect, learn and do business effectively and safely. Exhibitions have a huge impact on the local economy and play a significant role in supporting their respective industries and markets; therefore, we are determined to facilitate our communities’ return to exhibitions post-Covid-19.
“Virtual events have provided much-needed interactions and served customers well during the pause in live events. The benefits of industries coming together face-to-face to do business, conclude deals and develop trust continue to be clear. When that starts to happen, Informa AllSecure makes the health, wellbeing, and experience of our participants foremost and enables us all to get back to business.”
The AllSecure standard includes 35 guidelines covering all aspects of cleaning and hygiene, emphasising deep cleaning events before, during, and after, and providing additional handwashing facilities and hand sanitiser stations throughout the venue.
A range of physical distancing measures will also be put in place, and, where possible, a contactless experience will be provided throughout the event.
All visitors to events will be required to wear masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) in line with local government and health authority guidelines. All participants will also be screened, and Informa’s events teams will support local authorities’ track-and-trace programmes.
The new health and safety practices were announced alongside Informa's inaugural Omnia Health Live, the world’s first virtual global gathering of medical professionals.
The five-day online event, which took place between 22-26 June, attracted 11,000 attendees and 2,500 exhibitor representatives from 177 countries worldwide.
The event included 70 free digital educational sessions with more than 23,000 views throughout the healthcare showcase.
The event featured headline speakers such as Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organisation (WHO); Tom Lawry, national AI director, health and life sciences, Microsoft; and Rafael Grossman, the world’s first surgeon to use Google Glass during live surgery.
“While we will continue to develop our digital products – our focus now turns to delivering a safe and successful Arab Health and Medlab Middle East, where we look forward to physically welcoming visitors in February 2021,” said Hall.
Arab Health and Medlab Middle East are scheduled to take place in line with the Informa AllSecure guidelines, 1-4 February and 8-11 February 2021, respectively. Last year the 45th edition of Arab Health generated over US$ 870m* worth of business, facilitated by a sectorised floorplan and free matchmaking programme.
The 2020 edition of Medlab Middle East generated over US$152m** and included the launch of Novel Coronavirus testing kits, which could deliver results within two hours.
* GRS Explori Survey conducted for Arab Health 2020
** GRS Explori Survey conducted for Medlab Middle East 2020
