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n a way it ’ s a really
“ Iawful time to come into the new role as chair of the AEO , but at the same time it ’ s never been more obvious what needs to be done . We need to get this industry back up and running ,” says Simon Parker , the AEO ’ s incoming chair . The mission is clear , then , but the problem remains a large one . The AEO , alongside many other associations , has played a |
key role in communicating the value of the exhibitions industry to government throughout the COVID-19 crisis . Parker , who is also Informa Market ’ s executive vice-president , will be furthuring this work . “ It ’ s about making sure the Government appreciates what we do , understanding why we ’ ve been separated from other industries and made a special case ,” says Parker . “ I think it ’ s |
something that we ’ re all struggling to come to terms with and can ’ t understand why . We ’ re trying to get government to explain their thought process , and how that ’ s happened .” At the same time however , Parker and the AEO are working constructively alongside the Department for Culture , Media and Sport ( DCMS ) to demonstrate how exhibitions can be run safely – as they currently are |
in many countries around the world . Parker points out that in Germany , France , Dubai , China and elsewhere , exhibition organisers are running COVID-secure shows . “ One of the key messages we ’ re making to the UK Government is that we ’ re lagging , and we ’ re losing competitive advantage . We run the risk of shows just saying ‘ we ’ ll go somewhere else , we ’ ll think about |
December — 17 |