Trade Show Industry Forges Forward: Safety Protocols Released, Vegas Opening, German Fairs Begin Sept. 1

May 28, 2020
trade show, trade shows

There is no doubt that COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on the trade show industry globally, but in the past week or two, there have been several big steps forward to start meeting in person again.

Some shows, suppliers and associations have released health and safety plans on how they are going to look after attendees and exhibitors coming to their events or venues.

Properties in Las Vegas also announced plans for several hotel/casinos that will be opening initially for leisure travel beginning June 4. Everyone is crossing their fingers that all goes well and trade shows and meetings are not too far down the road.

Step by step, the trade show industry continues to forge ahead.

Questex Unveils Plan for Shows

Questex launches a three-phased approach to ensure the ongoing health and safety of event attendees, named the Questex Event Directive. 

Questex’s three-phased approach includes: Phase One: Near term measures to follow current government and health regulations; Phase Two: Actions to protect health and safety of our attendees and exhibitors determined by safety of geography; and Phase Three: Ongoing preparedness.

Connect Meetings Releases Detailed Health and Safety Plan

Connect, scheduled to take place Aug. 17-19 in New Orleans, says it is “100% moving forward” with the event that draws thousands of meeting planners and suppliers annually. In an effort to put ‘health and safety’ of the attendees first, Connect put together a plan to showcase the most cutting-edge safety measures available right now and implement them at the show. 

PSAV Releases MEETSafe Standards

PSAV’s MeetSafe is a set of tools focused on redesigning events to deliver on the strategic goals of meetings and events while defining new guidelines to minimize risk and promote health. Being able to convene safely will be the first priority of all planning activities going forward, as the ability to conduct in-person meetings will be dependent on making people feel safe in any setting, according to PSAV officials.

AHLA Launches "Safe Stay" for Enhanced Industry-Wide Hotel Cleaning Standards

The Safe Stay initiative is designed to change hotel industry norms, behaviors and standards to ensure both hotel guests and employees are confident in the cleanliness and safety of hotels once travel resumes.

The AHLA Safe Stay Advisory Council is working in conjunction with public health experts, scientists, and medical leaders to develop a series of best practices for the industry.

Caesars Entertainment Set to Open Caesars Palace and Flamingo Las Vegas June 4

In accordance with directives from Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak and the Nevada Gaming Control Board, Caesars Entertainment Corporation ("Caesars Entertainment" or the "Company") today confirms that it will resume gaming and hospitality operations in Las Vegas at its Caesars Palace and Flamingo Las Vegas properties June 4. Caesars health and safety plans are linked above.

MGM Resorts Announces Opening Dates for First Las Vegas Properties

MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) ("MGM Resorts") announced its planned June 4 reopening of Bellagio, New York-New York, MGM Grand Las Vegas and The Signature, following the closure earlier this year of all of its U.S. properties amidst the coronavirus crisis.  At opening, amenities at all properties will be limited. As demand for the destination builds, additional venues within these resorts will open and other MGM Resorts properties on The Strip will reopen.

Chicago Releases Tourism and Hospitality Forward Plan

Chicago’s fight against the spread of COVID-19 has been both measured and holistic. Chicago’s reopening will need to be equally as holistic and measured. Working to support the City’s overall recovery efforts, Choose Chicago is aligning businesses, organizations and institutions within Chicago’s tourism and hospitality industry to help accelerate the economic recovery from the effects of COVID-19.

The strategy is called Tourism and Hospitality Forward. In both name and approach, its aim is to engage partners, businesses and institutions across the city to ensure recovery is equitable across Chicago’s neighborhoods.

German State of Bavaria Will Reopen for Exhibitions Sept. 1

The Bavarian government is continuing on the path of gradually opening up the economy. Trade fairs can take place again from Sept. 1. 

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Partner Voices
Just when it seems like Las Vegas can’t get any bigger, brighter or more exciting for groups, MGM Resorts raises the bar again. The company continues to invest and innovate across its portfolio of Las Vegas resorts, with new attractions and upgraded experiences for attendees of all interests.  Remodeled Guest Rooms MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the world with over 5,000 guest rooms and an 850,000-square-foot conference center. It is home to the newly remodeled MGM Grand Studio Tower—700 reimagined guest rooms with a fun mid-century vibe. Nearby, the iconic New York-New York Las Vegas Hotel & Casino recently completed a $63M redesign and remodel of its 1,830 guest rooms and 155 suites. Down the street, Bellagio Las Vegas is sporting renovated rooms in the Spa Tower with sunrise-inspired decor and luxurious soaking tubs in Premier King rooms after a $110-million transformation. Reinvented Luxury Experiences The Luxury Meetings District, made up of Bellagio Las Vegas, ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara Hotel & Spa, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas, is now more connected than ever before. A new interior walkway opened this October for a seamless attendee experience – connecting Vdara, Bellagio, and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, guests can now walk from Park MGM to Bellagio in around 15 minutes. New on the scene in the Luxury Meetings District is Cathedrale at ARIA, TAO Group’s upscale establishment specializing in exquisite French-Mediterranean cuisine offering elevated private dining experiences that opened in May. Heralded by World’s Best 50 Restaurants, GQ and VOGUE, LPM at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is opening this fall and will deliver its signature spontaneity and imaginative celebration of France’s Mediterranean cuisine, art, and culture to the unique luxury resort in impeccable fashion.  A “New Wave  for Mandalay Bay A new wave of enhancements and experiences has arrived at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, including Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, an 8,445-square-foot restaurant that opened this June, perfect for pre- and post-game eats and drinks. Event planner’s favorite, Chef Michael Mina’s StripSteak, received a full renovation and now includes one of the largest private dining rooms on The Strip. Retro by Voltaggio debuts a one-year residency with a fun take on pop culture of the 80s and 90s with classic American dishes. An exciting addition planned for 2024 is Swingers, a 40,000-square-foot oasis of street food, miniature golf and art at Mandalay Bay. Most exciting for meeting planners, the 2.1 million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center  is undergoing a complete refresh, with lightened space, added eye-catching art, and improved technology infrastructure for even more flexible space. Energy-efficient digital signage now leads the way with faster internet speeds and new AV options. From renovated guest rooms and meeting spaces to celebrated dining options and dedicated teams, MGM Resorts is dedicated to delivering exceptional and innovative meeting experiences.