SISO Update
Our world and the way we conduct business has always been an evolution, but it is undeniable these past few months – as well as the road ahead – will reshape not just our businesses but our everyday lives. Things seem to change not just week-to-week or day-to-day, but sometimes minute-by-minute. While we may not be gathering with you as a community to exchange ideas, share experiences and gain knowledge, we greatly look forward to that time. Until then, we aim to connect you with important updates and the information you need now through this new e-newsletter series.
SISO Activities
At SISO, we haven't let COVID-19 keep us from bringing you insights from leaders in the industry and in the business world at large.
- Watch: An Interview with Stephen A. Carter CBE (Lord Carter), Group Chief Executive – Informa PLC (May 7) Tune in for an interview with his lordship. Carter tells about Informa's understanding of the magnitude of COVID-19 and how the pandemic has forced it to cut costs and evaluate its business structure. Listen to find out what he sees as priority number one right now and how he predicts trade shows will change in the future.
- Check Out: SISO Small Business SIG (April 28)Small businesses are hurting. Yours may be one of them. Hear from industry leaders on: How're they engaging customers. What virtual events could mean for them. Tips and best practices to keep in mind from a legal perspective and how to navigate hardships with regard to supporting their employees.
- Catch Up: SISO Town Hall: SISO Leaders Respond to Impact of Coronavirus (March 31) SISO's chair, vice chair, secretary and treasurer and past chair discuss the impact of the coronavirus as it unfolds and impacts our industry. Including questions and topics: To cancel or postpone? The importance of language and messaging. What is the “new normal”? How to embrace virtual events.
Register for our next Town Hall Webinar, scheduled for June 3.
Moving Forward Updates
As the world gets back to business and reopening, look here for updates on the current status of major world economies. In some places, like the United States, we'll recognize that the majority of decisions that affect our industry will be made at the state and local level. This is precisely why SISO is committed to working towards advocacy messaging down to those levels.
- The Global BioRisk Advisory Council (GBAC):
- China clears way to restart exhibitions and conferences (May 9)
- Germany separates exhibitions from mass gatherings, allows trade shows to run again, in principle (May 6)
Coalition Updates
SISO is proud to partner and join with other events industry groups to promote the safe reopening and planning of events. If you haven't gotten involved yet yourself, take our recommendation and learn more about groups we'll feature here, how they're advocating, collaborating and helping move our industry forward:
- Go Live Together – Freeman's initiative continues to gain traction with over 650 organizations and 1,900 individuals joining and counting!
- In addition to joining the Go Live Together initiative SISO is investing $250,000 to aid with legislative advocacy efforts to support industry recovery and ensure government officials understand the true impact events have on economies across the world.
Resources
You look to SISO as a resource for best practices, knowledge, and what's next as you plan your event throughout the year. We are by your side to help navigate change and challenges during and after COVID-19, too. Checkout our resources to address COVID19 page as well as the below links to useful and important resources. We'll be sharing new and necessary documents, guidelines, and more as they're developed and rolled out in future SISO Updates.
- Coming Soon! Members will be able to order PPE masks through our website for $30/box of 50. Ordering available next Friday, May 22.
- UFI Framework for Reopening
- Health & Safety Guidelines: Travel in the New Normal, by the U.S. Travel Association
- White House Guidelines for all phases
- Safe + Clean Connect Plan for Connect 2020, Connect's 2-page Fact Sheet
- Event Safety Alliance's Reopening Guide
Q&A
Remember, SISO is your community. We cannot wait to see you face-to-face as soon as possible. Until then, stay engaged with our community through SISO's social channels and engage in our online member forum. Have questions? Send those to info@siso.org to have them answered in our next virtual town hall webinar.
If your trade show or organization has created new guidance or resources that would be beneficial to your SISO peers, please share those for consideration in a future distribution of SISO Update, email info@siso.org. Thank you.
Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay strong. Stay connected.