In an optimistic and well-thought out move, The Ministry of the Interior, Germany has designated travel for business events to the ‘essential’ category. The revised travel rules and guidelines propose that from 15th September all travellers, including those from high-risk areas will be allowed to enter German borders for the purpose of attending business events.
The attendees are required to provide their bookings/ tickets to the event and also furnish a proof of at least one meeting scheduled with an exhibitor during that trade show or exhibition. Also, there is a revision regarding the quarantine period in the country as well; starting from 1st October, the attendees will now be quarantined for a period of 5 days only instead of 14 days earlier, even if they test negative upon arrival.
Since Germany holds the position of World’s largest trade show market, its economy generates a huge portion of its GDP and employment opportunities through the Exhibition and Trade Fair Industry. As per AUMA 2019 report, the country managed to attract a total of 10 million visitors and out of this figure around 30% attendees were from foreign shores. Also, 60% of the total 1,80,000 exhibitors who participated in various events were foreigners. All these figures and facts are clear indicators for Germany's push towards opening and relaxing their travel restrictions.
To kickstart the revival of in person events in the country, 12 exhibitions have been planned for the month of September alone, including several international events. Right from the CARAVAN SALON in Dusseldorf as the largest show to restart, the compact version of the IFA Berlin in the first week of September to the INTERBOOT in Friedrichshafen at the end of the month, Germany is all set to bring back the missing buzz in its most important industry. In an interview given to the Association of The German Trade Fair Industry(AUMA), Messe Dusseldorf’s President and CEO Wolfram N. Diener shared his thoughts about the ongoing developments pushed by the industry bodies and other official agencies, “ We want to signalise: Trade Fairs can work in Corona time, too. In close cooperation with authorities, partners and customers, we have realised the CARAVAN SALON 2020 under high hygiene and safety standards. The result: Around 350 exhibitors in eleven exhibition halls are presenting the entire spectrum of mobile travel.”(https://www.auma.de/en/media/reports/press-2020-25)
Organising 60% of world’s leading trade fairs exhibitions and generating 10% revenue of the global exhibition industry, Germany’s status as the frontrunner in the global trade show market remains unchallenged.
