Fespa Global Print Expo and European Sign Expo (12 – 15 October 2021) returns to the RAI, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. To safeguard visitors, exhibitors, staff, and contractors, Fespa will operate several Covid-safe practices.
Entry requirements and navigating the exhibition halls
This year, visitors will be required to register before attending the event to obtain their digital entry QR code, which will be held on participants’ phones. The entry requirements for the venue specify that all attendees must provide proof that they are double vaccinated, have recently recovered from Covid-19, or received a negative Covid test before entering.
This will be facilitated via the EU Digital Covid Certificate (DCC) for European travelers, and printed proof of vaccination from non-European countries will also be accepted. These measures aim to minimize the risk of spreading the virus in the exhibition. In addition to proof of vaccination or negative test result, all visitors will be asked a series of health questions before entering.
Participants who cannot provide proof of vaccination can still visit Fespa under the ‘impact to Dutch economy’ exemption. To do this, visitors will need to fill the Quarantine Declaration Form and tick the box that indicates that they fall into the exemption category.
Visitors require an invitation letter from the RAI to accompany the Quarantine Declaration Form, which Fespa will issue upon request. Attendees who are not fully vaccinated will also need to provide a negative test result each day (test results are only valid for 24 hours). Free-of-charge rapid antigen testing will be available onsite at the RAI.
Following recent guidance from the Dutch government, social distancing and wearing facemasks are no longer mandatory. Still, Fespa recommends that each attendee takes the safety precautions that help them feel safe.
To support this, a ‘traffic light system,’ where visitors can wear a red, orange, or green badge, will enable everyone to indicate their personal preferences around physical contact. The floorplan features wider aisles and floor markings will be in a place where queues may form, which will allow for the easier flow of visitors around the event.
When arriving or leaving the RAI, crowd management and traffic protocols will be used to ensure attendees arrive and leave the show as safely as possible.
Cleaning and hygiene measures at Fespa
Strict cleaning and hygiene measures in place, include –
- Staff will follow a rigorous master cleaning plan, supported by a Covid-19 hygiene plan, covering everything from special vacuum-cleaner filters to extra antiseptic surface wiping and increased toilet cleaning.
- A newly reconfigured and recalibrated air ventilation system, based on guidance issued by the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).
- Advanced waste disposal procedures
- The use of sustainable disposable single-use cups and cutlery in all catering facilities
- Access to hand sanitizer, soap, napkins, antiseptic wipes, and other cleaning materials, including contactless sanitizer stations at key locations and signposted throughout the venue.
- A medical isolation room staffed by personnel trained in Covid-19 prevention, detection, and emergency response.
Contactless experience
To further minimize physical touchpoints throughout the exhibition, visitors can use QR codes to access online brochures, magazines, and product information and connect with suppliers. This will be facilitated by Fespa’s event partner, visit Connect. Once registered, attendees will receive links to an online portal and QR code for entry.
Neil Felton, chief executive officer, Fespa comments, “Health and safety is paramount at Fespa Global Print Expo and European Sign Expo 2021, and we have been working closely with the RAI, Dutch Government, the National Institute of Public Health and the Environment and the city’s Municipal Health Service to ensure that we’re following the latest guidance to safeguard all participants. There will, of course, be differences in the way the 2021 events run. Still, we believe that printers that are keen to experience a live Fespa event again can do so with a high level of confidence in the measures being taken by Fespa and the RAI to protect them.”
