At this point, there is no predicting what the future may hold. Events are starting to be held as the tradeshow and convention industry finally returns. In this weekly roundup, here’s how some pioneering firms are disrupting the landscape by developing future-proofed solutions for tomorrow.
On July 8, beMatrix, announced a partnership with a fellow Belgian company, Disinfect Group, that will provide sanitized entry point solutions (pictured above) at locations across the world. Disinfect Group specializes in tailor-made safety solutions, including sanitization tunnels that channel users through entry points where they are sprayed by a dry disinfecting mist. A simple but effective solution, the design ensures that everyone on site has been through basic hygiene and disinfection prior to gathering in crowded venues.
That is where beMatrix steps in. The company’s customizable frames allow beMatrix and Disinfect Group to develop entry point solutions for every size of venue. As Tara Ericson, CEO of beMatrix USA, says, “We couldn’t be more excited to be partnered with Disinfect Group. Our modular frame system and LEDskin screens are the perfect fit to meet the structural and distribution needs of their sanitization tunnels, dry mist product, temperature checker and visitor counter.”
The demand is there. Convention centers have been reopening their doors to those willing to test the waters, and success will be measured on how low the infection rates remain. Good news for beMatrix and Disinfect Group. Among those championing a summer reboot is Orange County Convention Center, beginning with the 12,000-strong Amateur Athletic Union National Volleyball Championship followed by the Together Again Expo scheduled for July 24.
The Together Again Expo is designed to provide a forum on how live events can safely move forward and get back to business as Florida enters Phase 2 of the COVID-19 recovery. The industry event will offer attendees and suppliers the opportunity to learn about new industry best practices and will provide strategies and tools on how safely and responsibly to re-open live events, conventions and tradeshows. This event is open to all event professionals and suppliers. A live stream to include an educational component will also be offered in conjunction with the Together Again Expo.
However, despite Florida’s gung-ho approach to reopening, and prior to discovering that the “spike” of cases in Florida was the result of labs providing faulty results, the OCCC was being considered as a potential field hospital, which could impact the scheduled shows.
Some say it is always sunny in Philadelphia, but for clouds to have silver linings, that cannot possibly be true. Such is the situation with Philly’s civic leaders, who even amidst a downturn, have identified an opportunity to get ahead of rival cities to host future conventions and events. Earlier this month, the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau announced a new advisory group—PHL Health Advisors—tasked with the express purpose of helping businesses address questions about meeting safety. The goal is to lay fertile groundwork upon which the seeds of tomorrow’s shows will be planted… before anyone else can get to their metaphorical hoe.
Of course, Philly is not even the first city working on how to get back to work safely as Cincinnati’s Duke Energy Convention Center, in collaboration with Prestige Audio Visual and Creative Services, and their downtown Cincinnati partners held “Hybrid Events—Confusing Possibilities Made Simple,” on July 15. Attendees joined live in Cincinnati, as others joined virtually, to learn how a hybrid event can be a successful and safe solution for planning meetings in these difficult times.
