Conference & Meetings World Issue 108 | Page 48

Destination report ith a clear and transparent set of protocols for business events and the safety of its people and visitors, South Korea is likely to be in demand for those seeking a suitable destination for international events. Although some recent Covid-19 flare-ups have been recorded, South Korea has been lauded as a country that has kept cases and deaths low compared to many destinations. Perhaps it is the collective memory of a nation already experienced from SARS, and more recently MERS, that has meant transparency with a stringent test and tracing regime allowint the population to go about their daily lives throughout the pandemic. Well known for its lead in technology, Korea was quick to develop a national mobile tracing app, which all visitors must download upon entering the country. Free, fast testing, combined with the app, is designed to identify and Korea’s clear course gets events back underway A RELIANCE ON RIGOROUS TESTING AND PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY HAS GOT SOUTH KOREA’S VENUES AND EVENTS SECTOR BACK ON TRACK contain cases quickly. Although Korea was one of the first countries affected by the pandemic, in February, the speed at which the country responded meant that, as of the end of August there had been just over 300 deaths recorded. Korea sent cleaners into the streets, on public transport and to every public space cleaning in plain sight. The Korean Center for Disease Control and Prevention has mandated that hygiene, above all, can prevent the spread, alongside quarantining the sick and allowing greater mobility for the rest. Social distancing of 2m evolved to distancing in daily life of 1.5m (with mitigation, hygiene and mask wearing), schools returned, albeit in a staged manner, and business events restarted in May 2020, with a major architects’ event at the KINTEX venue. Seoul’s run of Phantom of the Opera is reported to have been the only English language production running anywhere in the world - in a 1,600 strong We are no longer facing any mass cancellations on the organisers’ side. So, while we will be facing an inevitable sales deficit this year, I believe we can overcome this difficult situation together auditorium. This was achieved with a strict view to hygiene across cast, crew and audience, from mask wearing (not the cast), to a light misting of disinfectant upon entry and frequent hand sanitising points. Attendees complete a questionnaire for contact tracing and the front row of seats was removed as a precaution. Business events now have few restrictions on numbers, providing protocols are maintained. Venues KINTEX and COEX have been well represented in industry webinar series demonstrating how Korea is welcoming events, proving to their own government and the joint meetings industry bodies that Korean hosts know who their delegates are and where they come from, and have the technology and processes to ensure they can be kept safe. Venue protocols include: - All visitors must wear a face mask and exhibitors must also wear a face-shield. - Thermometers, or thermal imaging cameras are installed at the entrance to the venue and visitors are screened again before entering the halls. - Strict distancing of 1.5 metres is enforced and visitors are encouraged to sanitise their hands and wear plastic gloves for exhibitions. - Convention centres provide an external quarantine tent and ambulances on stand-by. - Venues and organisers work in tandem to ensure each has clear responsibility for standards. - Plain sight, frequent cleaning operations and sanitiser mists in place. - Delegates are re-registered on entry to check their recent travels, and delegates lists maintained for at least 14 days post event in case of need to track and trace. 48 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / ISSUE 108