Hygiene and distance concepts at trade fairs in Germany

Eight components for a safe re-start of the German trade fair industry

The federal and state governments have agreed on the proceeding during the Corona pandemic
and have begun with gradual openings. The German trade fair industry is urgently awaiting a signal for the re-start due to its long lead and planning times for trade fairs and exhibitions.

As marketplaces for different industry sectors as well as innovation and cooperation platforms, trade fairs are an important factor for the short and medium-term recovery of the German economy. Small and medium-sized companies in particular also need their regional and national trade fairs as sales and distribution platforms. More than 50% of exhibiting companies have so far suffered measurable economic losses due to the cancellation of trade fairs. Trade fair organisers and their service providers had sales declines of over 70% in 2020.

AUMA therefore calls on political decision-makers to enable the reopening of trade fairs in a timely manner. From AUMA's point of view, the federal and state governments should build on the tried and tested guidelines from 2020. The trade fair industry offers holistic health protection concepts that have been approved, tested and coordinated by the authorities and can be implemented again immediately.

German exhibition organisers are able to meet all relevant requirements for a safe trade fair participation in times of Corona - by taking the following measures:

1. Use of the available space potential
   German exhibition centres have sufficient space to ensure a general minimum distance of 1.5 m between people throughout the premises.
   
   
2. Limitation of the number of visitors on the exhibition space used
   Organisers provide a certain minimum area per visitor in accordance with the applicable regulations.
   
   
3. Visitor flow management
   By means of guidance systems, trained personnel and electronic control systems, exhibition organisers will ensure that there is no overcrowding and that streams of visitors do not meet too closely.
   
   
4. Ensuring contact tracking
   For systematic contact tracing, all exhibitors, visitors and service providers on the grounds are registered with their name and address. Visitor tickets are usually only available online and are valid for fixed visiting days.
   
   
5. High air quality
   By means of modern ventilation systems, the exhibition centres ensure good ventilation of entrance areas, halls and conference rooms. This is further supported by corresponding specifications for open stand construction.
   
   
6. Cooperation with exhibitors
   In preparation of the exhibition, the organisers provide exhibitors with recommendations and advice on how to comply with distance regulations and individual sanitation facilities when designing the stand/booth and planning of the procedures.
   
   
7. Application and control of standards 
   Medical masks must be worn. Disinfectants are provided in large numbers and all contact surfaces are cleaned in close cycles. All participants are briefed comprehensively about the applicable rules on health protection. The exhibition organisers regularly monitor compliance with these rules by trained personnel throughout the duration of the exhibition and during the periods of set-up and dismantling, and follow up on violations in an appropriate manner.
   
   
8. Integrated approach with local partners
   The exhibition organisers work closely with the regional public transport and local hotels to ensure that the participants stay is Corona compliant. In particular, capacity will be made available for the arrival and departure of participants by public transport, which will enable transport in accordance with the current Corona rules.
   

Below you will find an overview of the instructions given by the trade fair organisers in Germany on how to handle Covid-19 on the exhibition grounds and at trade fairs. This overview is not exhaustive. We try to keep this overview as up-to-date as possible.
 

Notes on how to deal with Covid-19 at trade fair locations

17.03.2021