TCT Asia, a major trade show, was shut down by Shenzhen authorities nine hours before it was set to open due to Covid numbers in the city creeping up to 24. Navigating policies and enforcements like this is a challenge for show and event planners, but it’s a reality that’s here to stay.
Trade Show Recovery Picks Up Pace: New Research
New data predicts a steady recovery for trade shows globally with almost all markets reaching two-thirds of 2019 revenue by the first half of 2023. Face-to-face meetings remain a priority as we overcome the direct impact of the Covid pandemic.
Event Attendance Stalled at 65 Percent Post-Pandemic: As Good As It’ll Get?
The floodgates have opened, and travel is back, but where have all the event attendees gone? A number of factors have grounded them and kept attendance well below pre-pandemic levels.
Events Industry Confronts Yet Another Wave of Covid
The new Omicron subvariant BA.2 is on the radar of event planners as the number of worldwide cases ticks up. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this new variant is even more contagious than the last strain of Omicron.
The Impact of New Zealand Putting a Halt on Large Events
In response to the country’s recent Omicron wave, New Zealand recently moved to its "Red Traffic light" setting — halting large-scale gatherings and impacting the local events industry. The decision has received some pushback; we explore why.
Should Events Report Covid Case Numbers?
The recent Consumer Electronics Show had some of the most comprehensive health and safety measures ever provided by an event of its size. But CES' failure to report the number of Covid cases detected in Las Vegas is drawing criticism and raising an important question for planners about whether events have an obligation to report cases to the general public.