Conference News August 2020 | Page 9

Business Design Centre passes the Hire Space test Conference guidance gets DCMS green light 9 News The Business Design Centre (pictured) in Islington, London, has been accredited under Hire Space’s ‘Safer Venues’ programme, and is now advertised to corporate planners and agencies on the platform as demonstrating the highest levels of safety in its approach to events. Going beyond Government guidelines in helping venues to communicate confidently with their clients, Hire Space’s accreditation offers digital training for venue staff, communication packs, and practical guidance in addition to independent certification from a chartered member of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). Safety measures required for accreditation are published in the Safer Events - A Framework for Action white paper, which is being followed by over 1,500 events businesses and informed by a Consultation Group of over 50 corporate event planners, including Reuters Events, Hearst UK, NAVEX Global, Vertu Motors plc and Morningstar. The guidance is an extension of the risk assessed approach the industry uses on a daily basis to protect its customers and visitors. A combined group of members from the Association of Event Organisers (AEO), the Association Event Venues (AEV) and the Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA), led by the associations, has launched the the All Secure Standard, a risk assessment based framework of Covid-19 secure industry best practice. It aims to provide guidance for business events and consumer shows which take place in conference and exhibition venues. The guidance has won the approval of Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Chris Skeith, the AEO’s CEO, said: “Following the announcement, 17 July, that events will get back to business later this year, we are delighted to share the guidance which has been painstakingly created by so many of our members. We are so grateful for their hard work and contributions, to help create this guidance which has been approved by the government.” AEV director, Rachel Parker, commented: “Collaborative working has been the backbone of our associations since its inception, bringing together and working with our colleagues and partners from across the industry has proven that we can provide a robust and workable solution to the greatest challenge we have faced for many years. This guidance is an extension of the risk assessed approach the industry uses on a daily basis to protect its customers and visitors.” Andrew Harrison, ESSA’s director, added: “Complementing the guidance are risk assessment templates, and examples of how practical measures can be put into place to design, create and implement Covid-safe exhibitions and events, to help our members get back to work. “The guidance will be used as the backbone of the ‘pilots’ referenced in the prime minister’s announcements and AEO, AEV and ESSA remain committed to work with the government to get the events industry back to business, safely, securely, and in line with the reopening timetable.” To read the All Secure Standard in full, visit www.aeo.org. uk/covid-19 The value of events to Liverpool is £3.3bn annually. It accounts for 48% of local business rates and provides approximately 38,000 jobs. Meet the businesses looking for new opportunities. Turn to page 40. www.conference-news.co.uk