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.