IAEE MENA Chapter Creates a Post Coronavirus Roadmap

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IAEE MENA Chapter Creates a Post Coronavirus Roadmap

4/29/2020
In a workshop arranged using virtual communication technology (remote communication), the International Association of Exhibitions and Events® (IAEE) MENA Chapter discussed the challenges of the current situation, including possible solutions and their impact on the exhibitions industry. The future of the workforce in the Middle East and North Africa was also discussed. Some considerations include having a better understanding and investing in modern technologies and developing new concepts for organizing exhibitions, conferences and other business events. Some new technologies include 5G communication technologies, robots and artificial intelligence. The workshop confirmed the necessity for connecting the economic recovery plans to the exhibitions and events industry, and to consider the sector as an essential part of the plans for recovery.

In the regional virtual forum organized by the IAEE - Middle East and North Africa Chapter, under the title "challenges and solutions and their impact on the exhibitions industry and future of workers", more than 240 exhibition and event industry professionals from the public and private sectors from different countries of the region took part.

IAEE president and CEO, David Dubois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA, reviewed the effective and important role of the exhibitions and conferences sector in the economic life of countries, increasing the national income and taking part in realizing sustainable economic development. He assured that it is necessary that all countries of the world take serious steps to develop qualitative initiatives to position the exhibitions and events industry, and the industry sectors they serve, for recovery. He mentioned that the next major project for IAEE is to organize Expo! Expo!, an exhibition for the exhibitions industry. Expo! Expo! is held in a different U.S. city and state each year. Expo! Expo! will be organized for the first time outside the United States, in Abu Dhabi City.

In press announcements, Bilal Al Barmawi, the president of the IAEE Middle East and North Africa Chapter mentioned that the industry has been disrupted on a global basis due to the Coronavirus pandemic. There are no exhibitions being held currently, and the economic activity is also disrupted in most industries. The most prominent and affected sector may be the events and exhibitions industry sector. The spread of the Coronavirus (COVID - 19) will cause losses in billions USD and AED, and millions of jobs related to the exhibitions industry will be lost globally.

The association works with all its members in the region in cooperation and consultation with the parent international association to study these challenges and suggest solutions to reduce the losses gap. The call by the regional chapter (MENA Region) is made for drawing a roadmap for reducing the losses and sustaining this industry considered as a source of national income for many countries.

The participants included Dr. Zohair Mohammad Al Saraj, president of the ExiCon International Specialist Group; Saeed Bin Salem Al Shanfary, the chief executive officer of the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre; Abdulrahman Al Nasar, the chief executive officer of the Kuwait International Fair Company; Tayseer Al Malah; the chief executive officer of the Saudi Exhibition & Convention Bureau in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and Ikram Maqni Hadari, the general manager of the Sfax Chamber of Commerce and Industry, president of the International Sfax.

The forum discussed the challenges which face the exhibitions and events sector currently. In this regard, the participants confirmed the necessity of providing governmental support packages and programs for the exhibitions and events sector and calling the concerned authorities to open the process of issuing the licenses for organizers for the year 2021 as well as supporting virtual events currently in preparation for approving them as a future supporter for the events, and calling for more activation and enhancement for integrations and partnerships among the authorities who organize the exhibitions.

During the forum, the speakers addressed many suggestions and solutions which focused on the importance of communicating with their customers to better understand their future needs and establishing a common platform for companies organizing the exhibitions and events in the Middle East and North Africa. The presenters also called for the necessity of a common goal for activating training for workers during this period using technologies which will fulfill current needs. Companies are also urged to prepare their paperwork to join the membership of the international authorities and organizations. Doing so will increase their knowledge and elevate their professional experience. Authorities are encouraged to open the process of issuing licenses for organizers for the year 2021. They mentioned that virtual events are currently being held and organizers will need to consider using virtual event technology to serve their markets in the future. Virtual events can help support the live event. By activating a virtual event as part of the live event, organizers can leverage partnerships among exhibitors, providing the opportunity for customers to experience the event without having to attend.

The MENA Chapter located in Abu Dhabi City, by support of Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau, submitted some recommendations which take part in mitigating the burdens and the spread of Coronavirus (COVID - 19), including:

Establishing a common platform for companies organizing exhibitions and events.
Working to activate the training for the workers during this period.
Urging the organizers to benefit from this period in arranging its internal files and joining membership of the international authorities and organizations.
Focusing on the local market during the next stage more than the international market as the global industry will recover later.
Communicating with the customers to understand their needs and updating the data.
Marketing the events intelligently and avoiding the traditional marketing.
Reorganizing and planning for recovery when exhibitions and conferences will resume.