World’s leading exhibition organiser launches blueprint for hosting enhanced physical events in the Middle East

Informa Markets, the world’s leading exhibition organiser, has launched Informa AllSecure to the Middle East market. The detailed set of enhanced measures will provide the highest levels of hygiene and safety at all future events, to ensure the safety of attendees and staff.

In collaboration with The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), Association of Event Organisers (AEO), and the Society of Independent Organisers (SISO), and in conjunction with venues, suppliers and relevant authorities, the industry-wide AllSecure standard has been developed to provide a safe, hygienic, productive, and high-quality environment. 

Informa AllSecure is how the standard will be adopted across the business, including 10 priority commitments followed by all Informa events around the world.

Peter Hall, President of EMEA, Informa Markets, said: “Informa AllSecure has been specially created to bolster confidence in the events industry and to ensure that everyone involved in our physical events can connect, learn and do business effectively and safely. Exhibitions have a huge impact on the local economy and play a significant role in supporting their respective industries and markets; therefore, we are determined to facilitate our communities’ return to exhibitions post-COVID-19. 

"Virtual events have provided much-needed interactions and served customers well during the pause in live events. The benefits of industries coming together face-to-face to do business, conclude deals and develop trust continue to be clear. When that starts to happen, Informa AllSecure makes the health, wellbeing, and experience of our participants foremost and enables us all to get back to business." 

The All Secure standard includes 35 guidelines covering all aspects of cleaning and hygiene, emphasising deep cleaning events before, during, and after, and providing additional handwashing facilities and hand sanitiser stations throughout the venue.

A range of physical distancing measures will also be put in place, and, where possible, a contactless experience will be provided throughout the event.

All visitors to events will be required to wear masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) in line with local government and local health authority guidelines. All participants will also be screened, and our events teams will support local authorities’ track-and-trace programmes should it be required. 

The new health and safety practices were announced alongside the inaugural Omnia Health Live, the world’s first virtual global gathering of medical professionals. Omnia Health Live was delivered by Informa Markets – Healthcare, organisers of events including Arab Health, Medlab Middle East, Hospitalar, and FIME. 

The five-day online event, which took place between 22-26 June, attracted 11,000 attendees and 2,500 exhibitor representatives from 177 countries worldwide. It was dedicated to giving back to the healthcare community and frontline heroes through a free international content programme, while also providing healthcare businesses with the opportunity to generate revenue and showcase their latest healthcare products.

The event facilitated 9,245 virtual connections and included 70 free virtual educational sessions with more than 23,000 views throughout the healthcare showcase.  

The event featured headline speakers such as Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) addressing the impact of COVID-19 on society; Tom Lawry, National AI Director, Health and Life Sciences, Microsoft; Rafael Grossman (The world's first surgeon to use Google Glass during live surgery), Faculty Member, Singularity University, Faculty Member, Exponential Medicine; and Arnaud Bernaert, Head of Global Health and Healthcare, World Economic Forum.

“As a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, we have pivoted and delivered events using online solutions. These have achieved impressive results and provided a much-needed platform for industries to come together to discuss and debate issues, and map out a road to recovery,” said Hall.

“We are delighted we have been able to deliver an event of this magnitude and to support the healthcare workers and frontline staff who have been extraordinary in what they have done for countries around the world. 

"While we will continue to develop our digital products – our focus now turns to delivering a safe and successful Arab Health and Medlab Middle East, where we look forward to physically welcoming visitors in February 2021,” concluded Hall.  

Arab Health and Medlab Middle East are scheduled to take place in line with the Informa AllSecure guidelines from 1-4 February and 8-11 February 2021, respectively. Last year the 45th edition of Arab Health generated over US$ 870 million* worth of business, facilitated by a sectorised floorplan and free matchmaking programme.

The 2020 edition of Medlab Middle East generated over US$ 152 million** and included the launch of Novel Coronavirus testing kits, which could deliver results within two hours.