Irish Exhibition and Trade Fair Organisers Call for Level Playing Field

• Clare companies miss out on trade fair sales 

 
Autumn is the busiest season for trade fairs and exhibitions*, and for the many SMEs who exhibit at trade fairs, these exhibitions deliver an important sales pipeline.

3,000 SMEs were already booked to take part in trade fairs within the months ahead, and with many September trade fairs and exhibitions now postponed and future trade fairs and exhibitions in jeopardy, the Irish Exhibition Organisers Association (IEOA) is calling for equal treatment to that of retail businesses who engage with thousands of customers every single day.

Recent cancellations include the Wedding & Honeymoon Show and Vitality. For Killaloe business, Palm Free Irish Soap company, the cancellation of Vitality at Dublin’s RDS came as a disappointment.

“Trade fairs and exhibitions are a vital way of connecting small businesses like ours with new customers. We exhibit at a couple of trade fairs every year and last year, Vitality expo really delivered for us in terms of sales.

“We were booked to exhibit at this year’s event and are saddened that the September event is no longer taking place as the event had the potential of connecting our Killaloe business with customers from throughout Ireland,” adds Kathy Hoynes, co-owner of the Palm Free Irish Soap company.

Whilst the IEOA organisation and many exhibitors are in complete support of the Government’s advice based on health and safety being paramount, IEOA members are frustrated by the lack of a level playing field.

Comparable to retail, trade fairs and exhibitions should not be defined as ‘mass events’, therefore the IEOA is calling for the number of people admitted to trade fairs or exhibitions to be determined by the size of the venue or hall in which it takes place.

“We have already produced and distributed robust guidelines which clearly show how trade fairs and exhibitions can operate in a safe manner, and it goes without saying that the health and safety of our employees, exhibitors, contractors and visitors is our number one priority.

“We are NOT organising mass events such as concerts, sporting events or large social events,  and are calling for the Department of Business to recognise that exhibitions and trade fairs must be treated equally to that of retail,” adds Garret Buckley, Chair, IEOA and Managing Director of EventHaus.

The IEOA is optimistic that exhibitions and trade fairs will be included in the July Stimulus package, which would play a crucial role in securing thousands of jobs both directly and indirectly throughout the entire supply chain.

The organisation is also calling for the introduction of a voucher scheme which will enable SMEs to cover some of the costs in participating in future exhibitions and trade fairs, and in return help stimulate Ireland’s recovery. 

Speaking about her future hopes, Kathy Hoynes, co-owner of the Palm Free Irish Soap company continues: “It’s a difficult time for all businesses and sales, particularly to gifts shops, are understandably not what they were. We have another trade fair booked for December and are very hopeful that it will go ahead as it could provide a lifeline for us after an unprecedented year. 

“The IEOA’s call for a voucher scheme would be a very welcome measure. It would encourage many SMEs, like us, to exhibit, trade and make new sales which will be so important as we all move forward.”

Trade fairs and exhibitions are a crucial sales funnel for many Irish SMEs as they are effectively marketplaces which connect buyers with sellers.

Expanding on the voucher scheme, Garret Buckley adds: “The IEOA is calling for the introduction of a voucher scheme of approximately €1,500, which will enable businesses to participate in future trade fairs and exhibitions, helping to secure vital sales at a time when every business needs it most.
“As well as directly benefitting exhibitor SMEs, this scheme would have a positive ripple effect throughout our supply chain, securing business for our many third-party contractors and suppliers.”

The IEOA is calling on the Department of Business and Health & Safety Authority to engage with the Association, include trade fairs and exhibitions in the July Stimulus package and to consider the merits of the introduction of the SME trade fair voucher scheme.

For further information on the IEOA  Roadmap to Safe Exhibitions and Covid-19 protocols, see http://www.ieoa.ie/safe-exhibitions.html

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Irish Exhibition and Trade Fair Organisers Call for Level Playing Field

• IEOA calling for equal treatment to retail
• July stimulus package has the potential to save 0000s of jobs
• Trade fair voucher scheme to play pivotal role for SMEs

 
Just six weeks away from the busiest season for trade fairs and exhibitions*, members of the Irish Exhibition Organisers Association (IEOA) are now making critical decisions on September to November trade fairs and exhibitions.

With many September trade fairs and exhibitions now postponed and future trade fairs and exhibitions in jeopardy, the IEOA is calling for equal treatment to that of retail businesses who engage with thousands of customers every single day.

Whilst the organisation is in complete support of the Government’s advice based on health and safety being paramount, IEOA members are frustrated by the lack of a level playing field.

Comparable to retail, trade fairs and exhibitions should not be defined as ‘mass events’, therefore the IEOA is calling for the number of people admitted to trade fairs or exhibitions to be determined by the size of the venue or hall in which it takes place.

“We have already produced and distributed robust guidelines which clearly show how trade fairs and exhibitions can operate in a safe manner, and it goes without saying that the health and safety of our employees, exhibitors, contractors and visitors is our number one priority.
“We are NOT organising mass events such as concerts, sporting events or large social events,  and are calling for the Department of Business to recognise that exhibitions and trade fairs must be treated equally to that of retail,” adds Garret Buckley, Chair, IEOA and Managing Director of EventHaus.

The IEOA is optimistic that exhibitions and trade fairs will be included in the July Stimulus package, which would play a crucial role in securing thousands of jobs both directly and indirectly throughout the entire supply chain.

The organisation is also calling for the introduction of a voucher scheme which will enable SMEs to cover some of the costs in participating in future exhibitions and trade fairs, and in return help stimulate Ireland’s recovery. 

Garret Buckley explains: “Trade fairs and exhibitions are a crucial sales funnel for many Irish SMEs as they are effectively marketplaces which connect buyers with sellers. For many years, our members’ trade fairs and exhibitions have proved to be lifeline in securing future sales for exhibitors across a wide array of sectors.

“The IEOA is calling for the introduction of a voucher scheme of approximately €1,500, which will enable businesses to participate in future trade fairs and exhibitions, helping to secure vital sales at a time when every business needs it most.

“As well as directly benefitting exhibitor SMEs, this scheme would have a positive ripple effect throughout our supply chain, securing business for our many third-party contractors and suppliers.”

With exhibitions and trade fairs taking place in vast venues such as The RDS, space can be totally configurated to ensure physical distancing. Controlled pre-event registration will facilitate contract tracing and the IEOA protocols detail many more procedures which will ensure the safe and controlled re-opening of trade fairs and exhibitions.

The IEOA is calling on the Department of Business and Health & Safety Authority to engage with the Association, include trade fairs and exhibitions in the July Stimulus package and to consider the merits of the introduction of the SME trade fair voucher scheme.

For further information on the IEOA  Roadmap to Safe Exhibitions and Covid-19 protocols, see  http://www.ieoa.ie/safeexhibitions 

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Irish Exhibition and Trade Fair Organisers Call on Government Clarity
-3,000 SMEs awaiting date for exhibitions and trade fairs to commence-
 
Representing the majority of event companies who organise trade fairs and exhibitions in Ireland, the Irish Exhibition Organisers Association (IEOA) is calling for clarity from Government on whether trade and consumer exhibitions can recommence this Autumn.

With the economy gradually re-opening, IEOA members’ trade fairs and exhibitions deliver a vital sales pipeline for thousands of businesses. In September and October alone, over 3,000 small businesses are already booked to exhibit at IEOA member events.

For exhibitors such as Bernadette Kennelly Wedding Cakes from Navan, September’s Wedding & Honeymoon Show is a crucial opportunity for Bernadette to secure essential sales for the remainder of the year and the following year.  

"I have exhibited at the Wedding & Honeymoon Show for 15 years, and as a small, cake-making business, without this show my business has no profile, voice or representation in the wedding industry,” explains Bernadette.

Bernadette is just one of thousands of SMEs who have recently reopened their businesses following lock-down, and for whom trade fairs and exhibitions are an essential way to meet new customers, launch products and secure future sales.

Garret Buckley, Chair, IEOA and Managing Director of EventHaus comments: “Collectively, our trade fairs and exhibitions are responsible for generating millions of euro in sales for our exhibitors, many of which are small Irish businesses who depend on our events for sales.
“Our events are essentially ‘marketplaces’ and they will provide SMEs with a valuable opportunity to stimulate their sales in the post-lockdown era.” 

At a time when generating new business has never been more important, the IEOA is calling for clarity from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation which will enable the sector to plan for its safe re-opening.

To assist the Government, the IEOA has already published its own roadmap for members, which includes guidelines and protocols* which have been circulated to the Department of Business and to the Health & Safety Authority. 

Garret continues: “With all exhibitions and trade fairs cancelled since mid-March, we now need certainty to facilitate planning for our Autumn events. We are confident that our proposed protocols will enable our events to operate safely, fully adhering to Government guidelines on social distancing.”

Recognising that the Government is working through the phases, the IEOA is calling for action now as timing is crucial in the planning of events, with minimum lead times at two months but in most occasions is much longer.

“It goes without saying that the health and safety of our employees, exhibitors and visitors is our number one priority, and our robust guidelines clearly show how smaller, niche events can run smoothly in a safe manner,” says Garret.  

In addition to delivering business for exhibitors, many other contractors, such as venues, stand-construction, catering, lighting, cleaning, and security businesses, depend on income from trade fairs and exhibitions. 

Michael Duffy, Chief Executive of The RDS adds: “Large venues throughout Ireland have the capacity, resources and professional expertise in 'people movement' to assist event organisers hold trade fairs & exhibitions in a safe and responsible way, adhering to Government guidelines.

“The lead-in times for exhibitions and trade fairs are typically six months or more, with many people involved. Quarter 4 is always the busiest time of year for such events, with many SMEs receiving bookings or orders for the following year - never more vital than in these times. Those involved in events September and October need time and some level of certainty and clarity on future guidelines in order to prepare for these events now.”

Many European countries, including France, Germany and Switzerland, have recognised the importance the trade fairs and exhibitions to the overall economy, confirming that exhibitions can take place from 1st September 2020. Detailed report: https://www.dropbox.com/s/zsjnmftteinb9qn/World%20Show%20Update.pdf?dl=0

The total Irish events industry represents 35,000 workers (Full time Equivalent) and a market value Industry Output of €3.5 billion*. In Europe, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) valued direct spending from European trade fairs and exhibitions in 2018** at €39.5bn, with the sector employing 358,000 across European nations. 

The IEOA is calling upon policy makers to understand the importance of its members’ events, and how they will play a vital role in accelerating the overall economic recovery in Ireland.

For further information on the IEOA  Roadmap to Safe Exhibitions and Covid-19 protocols, see http://www.ieoa.ie/covid-19-campaign.html

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