ome chill winds have been blowing through the exhibition logistics and contracting sector and size has been no defence against the need to make cutbacks and to look for new coping strategies in the face of the Covid-19 challenge .

In the UK , GES ’ s Blitz has gone into liquidation and , Stateside , major contractors have shed staff , the realisation of warnings that the cessation of business events could cost the business events industry $ 118bn in 2020 .

In the UK , the Events Industry Alliance identified 30,000 direct jobs in the UK exhibitions sector at risk if remaining exhibitions were cancelled in 2020 .

Of course , the situation varies around the world . In China , exhibitions are taking place again , and in Germany , too , albeit they look a lot different .

Dave Richards is regional director fairs and events in Europe , for international freight forwarding and exhibition logistics company Agility , a company with roots as a warehousing and has grown to employ 26,000 staff . Richards says that , even before the pandemic , the industry was changing , and his team at Agility was adjusting with it .

“ The role of technology , for instance , was changing the expectations of exhibitors and attendees . Both were looking for a richer experience and better return on investment . That will continue to have implications for on-site venue partners and forwarders like us after the pandemic subsides and the industry is able to get back on its feet . In the meantime , the absence of large exhibitions has prompted us to focus

on smaller events that can take place safely and still provide a return .”

In the absence of business travel , many shows have reoriented to national markets .

Agility has traditionally been serving customers drawn to international exhibitions at large venues including ExCeL London , Hamburg , Abu Dhabi and Singapore , and Richards admits that events such as product launches and tours have gained traction ahead of the larger international exhibitions .

Richards identifies a new atmosphere of camaraderie and communication , which is more important than ever .

“ Everyone ’ s in the same position ,” he says . “ This obviously includes discussions on how exhibitions will be different when we next step into the venues . We envisage a fastchanging landscape as the sector restarts . All of us will have to be ready to adjust before things get fully back to normal .”

Richards thinks the short-term future will likely involve a change to

Right : Schenker gets in the spirit of co-operation with Lautergold

Below : Agility proving agile in continuing to find and serve customers

services and working models . “ There is an industry-wide desire to try to get things back to ‘ how they used to be ’, and a pent-up demand in industries that get a solid return from exhibiting and attending events - so as a supplier we will continue to engage with our stakeholders and to make sure they are prepared .”

Indian summer In India , RE Rogers was one of many companies that , six months ago , began primarily Working from Home ( WFH ) as a temporary model for survival . MD Ravinder Sethi says he never thought the lockdown would last so long . “ Having said that , our all-India customs and freight operations never closed , being essential services . So , in a way we ’ ve had a ‘ hybrid ’ model in play all during lockdown ,” Sethi says .

“ Our biggest reassessment is that WFH is not temporary and will now remain ( partially ) with us post-Covid . It has many advantages , including quality communication flow and faster decision-making .”

Government help for the industry in India has been confined to indirect benefits , such as more flexible banking facilities and delayed taxation benefits , which has put an even greater onus on self-sufficiency .

Partial business reorientation to areas other than exhibition logistics have included , at RE Rogers , putting other verticals in play - namely special defence and general freight projects . “ From day one of lockdown , we aggressively strengthened these businesses ,” says Sethi .

In India , as in other country markets , there is a holistic supply chain , and Sethi stresses it is most important to ensure timely payments