The developments and news reports around COVID-19 follow each other in quick succession. We can imagine very well that it also occupies you enormously in both business and private life. We can imagine that this raises questions with regard to Vakbeurs Recycling. Below you can read the most frequently asked questions:
We follow the rules that apply according to the Dutch government for foreign exhibitors and visitors. Click here for the most recent information from the government.
What do the stricter measures announced by the Dutch government on 28 September mean for Vakbeurs Recycling?
We can be very clear about that: nothing. The trade fair takes place in Evenementenhal Gorinchem and this location is seen by the local authorities as a so-called flow-through location. As a result, there is no maximum group size and we have received the green light to allow our activities to continue in accordance with the guidelines.
Have you already organized a fair during corona time?
Yes. On September 20, 21 and 22 this year. we were able to organize our first trade fair again, namely the Trendz purchasing fair. A week before Trendz, we were allowed to facilitate the Drankenbeurz in Gorinchem.
What were the reactions of exhibitors and visitors?
Very positive. Exhibitors were very satisfied with the increased quality of the visitors. As you might imagine, there were no so-called day trippers on the show floor. Visitors who were there came to the fair very purposefully. As a result, exhibitors have done good business. Both exhibitors and visitors unanimously agreed on the safety of the fair: more than safe.
Curious about all the reactions? Watch our special video with some reactions during this trade fair about safety and the importance of allowing the fair to go ahead.
How safe is it to participate in Trade Fair Recycling?
The safety of our exhibitors and visitors is our top priority. Our health and safety protocols from Evenementenhal Gorinchem were successfully audited last week by SGS, the world leader in inspection, control, analysis and certification. Their positive scrutiny confirms that we provide a safe place to meet and do business.
Why is it so important that Vakbeurs Recycling continues?
The Dutch waste and raw materials sector faces many challenges. Due to the corona virus, Vakbeurs Recycling is the first and almost only trade event of this year for the sector. A trade fair like Recycling helps the sector to get ahead again in the waste challenges and circular transition.
Why do visitors like to visit the fair?
Visitors again long for a live event where they can see products with their own eyes, where they can network face-to-face and gain immediate knowledge and inspiration. The dynamics of stock exchanges, doing business live, are experienced as very valuable by them. Moreover, visitors are curious about the developments in the sector to take the next step in their business operations.
What measures do you take to ensure that Vakbeurs Recycling takes place in a responsible manner?
In recent months we have worked on drawing up all conceivable protocols to restart trade fairs in a safe and responsible manner. These protocols and their implementation have been rated very positively by the local authorities. We are convinced that we can organize Trade Fair Recycling in a responsible manner, so that supply and demand, knowledge, innovation and inspiration come together at this beautiful fair.
Update May 7, 2020, 11:00 am: The current measures from the Dutch government mean that all events in the Netherlands may not take place until 1 September. Although Recycling Trade Fair is not during this period, we would like to keep you informed of the latest developments. We assume that the 1.5 meter society will remain the norm (for the time being). This has major consequences for the way we design fairs and events. The starting point is that Recycling Trade Fair is safe, and that everyone feels safe. We are therefore working on making Recycling Trade Fair corona-proof. In the coming period we will regularly post updates about the latest developments. Herewith a second update. First of all: why is it so important to let the exhibition go through? “The role of an exhibition is very important in many ways, for example from the economic aspect. Especially for our exhibitors and visitors. There are industries that realize up to 40 percent of their annual turnover on exhibitions. A fair is also indispensable for other service providers, such as stand builders. In addition, the local and regional economy also benefits when an exhibition takes place, such as hotels, taxi services and restaurants.” How are you going to make Recycling Trade Fair corona-proof? “That is of course the key question for all of us. At the moment we cannot yet fully answer that, but we are busy adapting the event to the 1.5 meter society. The starting point is that the health and safety of everyone involved has the highest priority.” But what should I consider? “Consider, for example, introducing so-called ‘time slots’. This would mean that visitors would register for a specific time slot, possibly extending the opening hours if necessary and possible. The advantage of working in time slots is that everyone gets the time and space to talk to each other in a safe way.” And what other adjustments could be made? “For example, an expansion of the entire exhibition layout, such as wider aisles, creating more space in places where previously were busy visitor flows and an adapted layout of the knowledge theaters. These are points that we will consider in the near future. We can imagine that a possible extension of the aisles raises the question among exhibitors that this is at the expense of their stand. We would like to clarify this immediately: this will not be the case. If we apply an extension of the exhibition layout so that the exhibition is safe for everyone, it will not be at the expense of the exhibitors’ stand area.” Do you also adjust the catering? “We are currently also mapping that. There is a real possibility that, for example, all food will be offered pre-packed. In addition, all existing corona measures, such as a 1.5-meter distance, also apply here. These distances are made clearly visible, as we already see at supermarkets and other shops, for example.” And what about the Smart Badge technology? “This tool has already been widely used at our exhibitions. Every visitor receives a so-called Smart Badge upon entry, of course according to the guidelines of the RIVM. With this badge the visitor can scan the information on the stands of exhibitors. After the exhibition visit, the visitor receives an email with an overview of all exhibitors that he or she has scanned. As a result, the physical business cards, folders etc. disappear. So environmentally friendly and also completely corona-proof.” When can we expect the other changes? “As mentioned, we are currently very busy making our exhibitions corona-proof. As soon as changes are final, we will communicate this directly with you. We are committed to ensuring the safety and health of all concerned. Easyfairs offers the safest place to meet!” When will I know if the exhibition will go ahead? “That is very difficult to say. In any case, we will do everything we can to organize the fair safely, so that the fair can continue in a responsible manner. We also feel supported in this by our trade association CLC-Vecta, which is also committed to organizing trade fairs in a responsible manner. In addition, a widely supported initiative has been launched: www.veilignaardevakbeurs.nl. In addition, lobbying has started to obtain permits and guidelines as soon as possible. The result is the protocol “Safe organization of and participation in business meetings”, which is supported industry-wide and has now been submitted to the employers’ organization VNO-NCW and subsequently to the Ministry of Economic Affairs. In short: we are hopeful that trade fairs will take place from this autumn according to the 1.5 meter society. At the same time, we also depend on the actuality and development of the corona virus. The measures from the Dutch government currently apply until 1 September. Of course we follow these developments closely. In the meantime, we will keep you regularly informed via our website, social media and newsletters.” Are you available in the meantime? “Yes, we are easily accessible. Not only for questions, but also for an informal chat. Do not hesitate to contact one of our colleagues. We are happy to help you!” #StayStrong #StayHealthy #Wewillmeetagain #Easyfairs #VisittheFuture #Recycling2020
Update May 7, 2020, 11.00 am: The current measures by the Dutch government mean that all events in the Netherlands may not take place until September 1. Although Vakbeurs Recycling does not fall during this period, we would like to keep you informed of the latest developments. We assume that the 1.5-meter society will (for the time being) remain the norm. This has major consequences for how we design fairs and events. The basic premise is that Vakbeurs Recycling is safe and that everyone feels safe. We are therefore working on making Vakbeurs Recycling corona-proof. In the coming period, we will regularly post updates on the latest developments. Hereby a second update.
First of all: why is it so important to let the fair go ahead?
“The role of a stock exchange is very important in many ways, for example from the economic aspect. Especially for our exhibitors and visitors. Some industries generate up to 40 percent of their annual turnover at trade shows. A trade fair is also indispensable for other service providers, such as stand builders. In addition, the local and regional economy also benefits when a fair takes place, such as hotels, taxi services and restaurants. ”
How are you going to make Vakbeurs Recycling corona-proof?
“That is, of course, the key question that affects all of us. At the moment we cannot give a complete answer, but we are busy adapting the event to the 1.5-meter society. The starting point is that the safety and health of all those involved come first. ”
But what should I think about?
“Consider, for example, the introduction of so-called ‘time slots’. This would mean that visitors will register for a certain time slot, whereby we will extend the opening hours if necessary and possible. The advantage of working in time slots is that everyone has the time and space to safely engage in a conversation. ”
And what other adjustments could be made?
“For example, broadening the entire exhibition layout, such as wider aisles, creating more space in places where there used to be busier visitor flows, and adapting the knowledge theaters. These are points that we will consider in the near future. We can imagine that a possible widening of the aisles will raise the question among exhibitors that this will be at the expense of their stand. We would like to clarify this immediately: that will not be the case. If we apply an extension of the exhibition layout so that the exhibition is safe for everyone, this will not be at the expense of the stand surface of exhibitors. ”
Do you also adapt to catering?
“We are currently mapping all that too. There is a real possibility that, for example, all food products are offered prepackaged. In addition, all existing corona measures, such as 1.5 meters distance, also apply here. These distances are made clearly visible, as we are already seeing at supermarkets and other shops. ”
And what about the Smart Badge technology?
“This tool has already been widely used at our trade fairs. Every visitor receives a so-called Smart Badge upon arrival, of course according to the guidelines of the RIVM. With this badge, the visitor can scan the information on the exhibitors’ stands. After the exhibition visit, the visitor will receive an email with an overview of all exhibitors that he or have scanned. As a result, the physical business cards, folders and the like disappear. Very environmentally friendly and also completely corona-proof. ”
When can we expect the other changes?
“As mentioned, we are currently very busy making our trade fairs corona-proof. As soon as changes are final, we will communicate this with you immediately. We do everything we can to ensure the safety and health of all involved. Easyfairs offers the safest place to meet! ”
When will I know if the fair will definitely take place?
“That is very difficult to say. We will in any case do everything we can to organize the fair safely so that the fair can proceed in a responsible manner. We also feel supported in this by our trade association CLC-Vecta, which is also committed to ensuring that trade fairs take place in a responsible manner. In addition, a widely supported initiative has been launched: www.veilignaardevakbeurs.nl. In addition, lobbying has started to obtain permits and guidelines as quickly as possible. The result is the ‘Safe organization of and participation in business meetings’ protocol, which is supported throughout the industry and has now been submitted to the employers’ organization VNO-NCW and subsequently to the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
In short: we are hopeful that trade fairs will be according to the 1.5 meters from this autumn
Corona Update April 22, 2020, 10:00 am: In the press conference on April 21 last. has been announced by the Dutch government that all events in the Netherlands may not take place until September 1. Although Vakbeurs Recycling does not fall during this period, we would like to keep you informed of the latest developments. We assume that the 1.5 meter society will remain the norm (for the time being). This has major consequences for the way we design fairs and events. The basic principle is that Vakbeurs Recycling is safe and that everyone feels safe. We are therefore working on making the Recycling Trade Fair corona-proof and hope to announce this soon. Therefore keep an eye on our website, because we will post our updates on it. Take good care of each other!
