As the current outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) continues to develop, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) are committed to working together in guiding the travel and tourism sectors’ response to COVID-19. On 30 January 2020, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of COVID-19 to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and issued a set of Temporary Recommendations. WHO did not recommen [...]

This week, Feb. 26–28, Global Pet Expo — produced by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) — will take place at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center, despite travel bans that are responsible for nearly 150 exhibitors from China unable to enter the U.S., impacting more than 25,000 square feet of booth space. Andrew Darmohraj, CAE, APPA’s executive vice president & COO, shared with Convene how the association is “setting an important standard for navigating the uncharted territory [...]

Dear International Visitors and Exhibitors, On behalf of TAITRA, I wish to express my deepest sympathy, concern and support to those affected by the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). The new epidemic has caused serious harm to global and domestic MICE industries and tourism in Asia. However, Taiwan has been extremely effective in protecting the public through the stringent measures that have been implemented, and TAITRA will continue to monitor closely all developments and keep inter [...]

Dear Industry Colleagues, Whilst the number of reported cases of COVID-19 is stabilising in Macao I would like to give you an update on the measures the Macao SAR Government and the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) have and are taking in response to the outbreak. Government Response On January 5, the Macao SAR Government established a cross-departmental team to tackle the expected emergence of the coronavirus in Macao. On January 21, the government set up a coordination cent [...]

Stephanie Selesnick, International Trade Information, Inc. A conversation took place on last week’s Twitter #Expochat, devoting the entire discussion to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on the US and global exhibition industry. Industry leaders Kai Hattendorf, MD/CEO of UFI, David Audrain, Executive Director of SISO, and Julius Solaris from Skift’s EventMB joined me as moderator. PCMA also was active on the chat. Large exhibitors in the US and Europe are cancelling booths and sponsors [...]

"Thailand has strong capacities for case detection, risk assessment, case investigation, laboratory diagnosis, clinical management, infection prevention and control, as well as risk communication," the World Health Organization said. BANGKOK, 24 February 2020: According to WHO's Covid-1 9 observations on Thailand, the UN agency commends the country for its health screening and surveillance systems at points of entry into the country as well as noting nationwide measures to detect and quarantine [...]

ICCA's Research Division are monitoring the status of all 1,065 meetings in the ICCA Association Database currently scheduled in Asia Pacific for 2020:   Only 44 meetings scheduled for Asia Pacific are affected by COVID-19 (4.1%). Of these 44 meetings, 34 are postponed, 5 cancelled and 5 relocated. Outside Asia Pacific, two meetings in Europe and one in Africa are postponed. ICCA President James Rees said: “When facing uncertainty or crisis, identifying reliable and timely sources of inform [...]

Paris / Atlanta – February 19: Around the world, societies and businesses are dealing with the consequences of the current outbreak of COVID-19. Our sympathies lie with everyone dealing with symptoms of this new type of virus, and we wish them a speedy recovery. We are sorry for the loss in families where individuals have died from the virus. At the same time, we are encouraged to see that ever more people are reportedly leaving hospitals in China again, having overcome the infection, and are le [...]

The exhibition industry serves a highly integrated global economy. We benefit from its advantages and are affected by its disadvantages in times of crisis. Currently, the outbreak of the Covit-19 hits people in China very hard and it starts expanding its effects into many countries around the world. We express our deep sympathy and support to everyone affected by the virus. The exhibitions we organise are platforms for industries to showcase their innovations, products and services and for peopl [...]