The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) will lead Global Exhibitions Day (#GED2020) celebrations in the region of the industry’s contribution to the world economy via an online webinar on 3 June.
#GED2020 is an annual world-wide campaign that was established by UFI, the global association for the exhibition industry, and now supported by 40 partner associations, companies and leading event professionals.
Claudia Sagripanti, EEAA Chief Executive, said the EEAA campaign for #GED2020 would centre on reconnecting with the marketplace and rebuilding buyer confidence post Covid-19.
“Exhibitions and business events are the key to rebuilding economies, and we will be aiming to highlight the sector’s capability to restart the economy – a top priority for business and governments in the current climate,” said Ms Sagripanti.
“The business events sector contributes more than A$35bn (US$22.8bn) to GDP, runs over 430,000 events annually and employs more than 229,000 people,” she added.
The Australian campaign, led by the EEAA, will centre around three key themes:
1. To Re-imagine the future of exhibitions
2. To Re-engage with buyers and sellers
3. To Re-connect with the business events community.
The #GED2020 celebration will be a virtual event, staged centrally from the ICC Sydney studios, with a welcome by its CEO Geoff Donaghy.
Mark Cochrane, UFI Regional Manager, Asia Pacific, and MD of Business Strategies Group will deliver a keynote and Dr Vanessa Findlay, Chair of the Business Events Council of Australia (BECA), will discuss the Federal Government’s progress with the Covid-19 industry response and recovery strategy. They will be joined by a panel of international and Australian industry professionals who will provide commentary on the post Covid-19 operating environment for exhibitions and business events.
The panel will include industry commentators Matthias Baur of MBB-Consulting Group; Debbie Evans, MD, Asia-Pacific, Freeman APAC; and Leighton Wood, Chief Operating Officer, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Rodney Cox, Director, Delaro Pty Ltd, will moderate the panel along with Claudia Sagripanti.
The webinar will be streamed free of charge at 15.30, Sydney Time, 3 June 2020.
In previous years, the EEAA Global Exhibitions Day initiatives have included the launch of Phase 1 and 2 of its ‘A Career for Life’ campaign, targeting teachers, career advisors, parents and students and to inspire more young people to consider a career in the industry. In 2017 and 2018, the EEAA was awarded the Industry Impact Award for success in promoting the industry and for our work in engaging the highest levels of Government by Exhibition World magazine and UFI.
