As measures are put in place to contain the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, ISE addresses concerns regarding travel to the Amsterdam trade show.
This week the ISE show
issued a statement confirming the exhibition would go ahead as scheduled at the Amsterdam RAI, February 10 to 14, 2020.
Speaking to Inavate, Mike Blackman, managing director of ISE, said his team was basing all its decisions and advice to exhibitors and visitors on the instruction of recognised health and travel institutions.
“We are closely monitoring the advice of the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM),” he said, adding that organisers were working with the RAI to ensure continual consultation with Dutch carrier KLM and local health authorities.
WHO advises approaches to limit exposure and transmission, which ISE is following where it relates to the exhibition. Blackman said advice on preventative measures and recommendations for hygiene would continue to be reviewed and updated.
While not minimising the threat, Blackman stressed the importance of acting on reputable information. “We’re not the experts, we will never try to pretend to make any assumptions based on hearsay or speculation. We have to follow the information we are getting from authorised authorities and reacting as recommended by them,” he said.
At the time of writing Dutch carrier KLM
said it was currently flying according to schedule, following developments and taking preventative measures. However, with British Airways and Lufthansa suspending flights, more airlines could follow suit.
With travel bans in place and some Chinese cities on lockdown, Blackman acknowledged that attendance would be affected.
“We're assessing the situation and talking to our Chinese customers to find out what their circumstances are and will provide updates as that situation develops. We do anticipate there will be companies who won't be able to come or won’t want to come and we’re taking the necessary actions to make sure the show floor looks good. We will try and help those companies who are affected and those who are not coming with the necessary paperwork.”
Highlighting that this is a continually developing situation, Blackman said ISE would update advice regularly and, in the case of urgent developments immediately, via its website and direct communication with exhibitors and attendees.