Trade fairs, congresses and conventions with more than 100 people can once again take place in Frankfurt, Germany, with strict safety precautions in place.
As Hesse’s Minister President Volker Bouffier put it: “Trade fairs are marketing and communication platforms for industry and trade. New contracts worth many billions of euros are concluded here, knowledge is shared here, and economic activity in our state is stimulated here. This is exactly what we need in the corona crisis.”
Messe Frankfurt is looking ahead with confidence. The Messe Frankfurt Executive Board has made it clear that ensuring the health and safety of all employees, exhibitors and visitors is its top priority. With an area of approx. 600,000 square metres – equivalent to 84 football pitches – the Frankfurt exhibition grounds offer the space necessary to accommodate large numbers of people while maintaining the required social distancing.
According to Messe Frankfurt’s Board, not only do trade fairs and congresses draw responsible individuals interested in doing business, but events also benefit from professional and proactive crowd and visitor management. The organization says Messe Frankfurt’s professional hygiene management system draws on expert medical advice, and its spacious, high-ceilinged exhibition halls are supplied with large volumes of fresh air. Air in the exhibition halls can be fully replaced by fresh air as frequently as five times per hour.
Safety measures also include the provision of protective equipment, such as face masks and disinfectants, and ensuring the availability of medical care and expert medical advice. Buildings will now be cleaned even more frequently, while employees, hosts and hostesses, lift operators, service and catering personnel will receive special training.
All event participants will be subjected to a comprehensive registration process, and visitor numbers will be limited. Tickets will be issued for particular dates and make use of specific time slots for admission. To avoid placing additional burdens on local public transport, visitors will be encouraged to travel to the event by car, with extensive parking and shuttle services available. Close contact will be further limited thanks to contactless access controls, electronic admission tickets and electronic payment. Aisles in the exhibition halls will be widened and one-way- travel systems implemented to facilitate compliance with social distancing regulations.
Messe Frankfurt says it is prepared to work closely with the authorities to institute any additional measures, such as temperature screening at entrances, that might become necessary. “This well-founded decision to hold trade fairs and congresses on the Messe Frankfurt exhibition grounds sends a promising signal for future face-to-face business encounters and successes and for opportunities to experience products live and in person,” the organization stated in a press release.
