Conference & Meetings World Issue 108 | Page 3

In Leipzig, a live audience took part in an experiment to study the spread of coronavirus in crowds Leader Live is kicking again Managing editor, Paul Colston As international business travel understandably remains problematic save for a few travel corridors open in coronavirus ‘cold’ spots, there are examples emerging of successful national and regional live events being staged at scale and, importantly, with strict health and hygiene procedures in place. China has hosted several major events since its first big Hunan Auto Show came back live on 30 April and many of its cities have been Covid-free for several weeks. As our cover shows, Denmark is stepping out again with confidence in its step and Copenhagen and Aarhus, in particular, are readying for the next stride forward and to host more events as the situation improves. We report also about events returning to both COEX and KINTEX in South Korea and of the rigorous safety and hygiene measures and tracking and tracing that has made that possible. Follow-up checks with visitors 14 days post-event have shown no Covid cases reported from the attendees. In Germany, in August, a live audience of 1,500 concert-goers took part in an experiment to study the spread of coronavirus in crowds. Halle University split the audience to discover effects on three scenarios. Results are due later in the year. And Thorough Events did a thoroughly good job staging the London Concours show at the Honourable Artillery Club in August, with a steady stream of visitors observing all the stringent safety regulations. Just a few of the examples we look at in this issue. Meanwhile, planners continue to test and use the new virtual event platforms coming to market and Michelle Fanus reviews a selection on pages 14-15. ICCA is also showing how a regional approach might be a solution, flexing its annual Congress in Kaohsiung to five other hub destinations for maximum reach, with a virtual experience available alongside the hybrid and in-person versions. We hope this new spirit of confidence will permeate more of our markets soon and remain eager to hear about all your experiences and share best practice. MANAGING EDITOR PAUL COLSTON [email protected] GLOBAL ACCOUNT DIRECTOR IAIN STIRLING [email protected] GRAPHIC DESIGNER KATERYNA SMIRNOVA [email protected] PORTFOLIO DIRECTOR SIMON FARNFIELD GLOBAL ACCOUNT DIRECTOR JON HOWELL CONTRIBUTING WRITERS SIMON GEORGE RAMY SALAMEH PRODUCTION MANAGER ELIZABETH NIXON CIRCULATION MATTHEW WILLIAMS PRINTED BY PENSORD MASH MEDIA GROUP LTD 2ND FLOOR APPLEMARKET HOUSE, 17 UNION STREET, KINGSTON-UPON-THAMES KT1 1RP TEL: [phone] FAX: [phone] EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: WWW.C-MW.NET @CM_WORLD © COPYRIGHT CONFERENCE + MEETINGS WORLD ALL MATERIAL PUBLISHED IN CONFERENCE + MEETINGS WORLD IS COPYRIGHT AND REMAINS THE PROPERTY OF THE PUBLISHERS. NO MATERIAL MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHERS. THE PUBLISHERS DO NOT NECESSARILY AGREE WITH THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY CONTRIBUTORS, NOR DO THEY ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY ERRORS OR INTERPRETATION IN THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS PUBLICATION. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE COPIED OR REPRODUCED, STORED IN A RETRIEVAL SYSTEM, OR BE TRANSMITTED IN ANY FORM BY ANY MEANS ELECTRONIC, MECHANICAL, PHOTOCOPYING, RECORDING OR OTHERWISE WITHOUT THE PRIOR PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHERS. ISSUE 108 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / 3