CORONA VIRUS STRONGLY AFFECTS EXHIBITION – FAIR INDUSTRY?

According to a report from Events Industry Council and Oxford Economics, the exhibition industry contributes US $ 1.5 trillion to global GDP, creating jobs for about 26 million people. If including the value from related industries: hotel, aviation, entertainment, marketing and many other industries, the value of the global trade exhibition industry is up to 2.5 trillion USD. But due to the outbreak of Corona Virus (Covid -19), the exhibition industry in 2020 suffered heavy losses.

1. Situation of exhibition – fair industry in the world

Corona Virus outbreaking has caused tremendous changes in people’s life in many countries, negatively affected the economy in general and the trade exhibition industry in particular. Up to now, more than 24 exhibitions and conferences around the world have been canceled or delayed, hammering $2.5 trillion trade fair industry and foreshadowing more damage to the field of hospitality, aviation, entertainment, restaurants, etc. 

Recently, organizer of GSMA has cancelled MWC 2020 - the world's largest trade show of mobile phone industry takes place annually in Barcelona (Spain), mainly due to the large participation of Chinese exhibitors.

On 28^th February, The Swiss Federal Council has imposed a ban on large-scale events of 1,000 or more people taking place in this country until 15^th March. Geneva Motor Show 2020 is one of these, thus, it must cancelled not as planned.

At the meantime, Health Ministry and Economic Ministry of Federal Republic of Germany has decided on rescinding ITB Berlin 2020 as Corona virus has been at risk of an expansion in Germany.

In China - the first country detecting Corona virus, many events and exhibitions here have forced to cancel or delay. China International Trade Promotion Council (CCPIT AUTO) recently has announced the cancellation of the Beijing Motor Show 2020. Besides, other major international events have been ignored in mainland China due to the Corona pandemic, such as the 4^th race, F1 2020 (Formula 1) in Shanghai. Import and Export fair of China (Canton Fair), the largest and oldest trade fair of China, taking place in Guangzhou phase 1 will be postponed until new notice.

In Japan, HVAC&R 2020 - Heating, Ventilation, Air Filter, Air-Conditioning & Cooling and Foodex Japan 2020 – Asia's largest exhibition for food and beverage industry have been not kept. In addition, photo exhibition CP+ 2020 has been also cancelled because of Corona Virus.

2. Situation of exhibition – fair industry in Vietnam

In Vietnam, the two leading places to organize fairs in the country are International Exhibition Center (I.C.E) in Hanoi and Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, “falling”. The number of participating enterprises and visitors dropped significantly. Large-scale exhibitions taking place in February and March have been postponed such as Vietbuild Hanoi, Automechanika 2020, VIFA Expo 2020, ILDEX2020, Ledtec Asia 2020 and a number of other exhibitions are also standing in danger of being canceled or rescheduled.  

The spread of this acute respiratory infection not only causes serious financial losses to the industry, but also makes the organizers headache in relocating and reorganizing the events and exhibition schedules. Moreover, exhibitors have to face a lot of difficulties when they do not participate, they may lose raw space deposits, the cost of booth installation, flight tickets, again, hotel booking, restaurant, etc. Furthermore, they miss a good opportunity to promote and introduce their products and services, the opportunity to meet potential partners, and the opportunity to exchange knowledge with companies in the same industry.

In conclusion, Corona pandemic not only caused heavy losses to the economy in general, but also strongly affected the field of trade fairs and exhibitions all around the world.

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