We have to stay loud to be heared!

When Trade shows are possible again, these events will have an immensely important function in getting the economy back on track. Trade shows are the catalyst here, they make the way up the track - the direct, fast route to the goal. In order to be able to hold a trade fair, however, not only the exhibitors, visitors and organisers but also the service providers are needed to put the exhibitors in the right light. It is now our task to ensure that the four-leafed lucky clover does not turn into a three-leafed one.

It is important that IFES and its members keep to raise their voice for the industry at this point. We have to continue to focus on the needs of small businesses. It is certainly easier to support an airline. But our industry is at least as systemically relevant as an airline!

The problem lies in the polypolistic structure of our Industry with:

• approx. 1.750* Supplier companies in Europe.
• These have an average annual turnover of EUR 5.3m*,
• which adds up to an economic impact of EUR 9.3bn*.
• And of this EUR 9.3bn*, 46%* has collapsed within a few weeks.
• This means a loss of yearly turnover of EUR 4.3bn* in pan-European terms.
• Or to convert them into employment: We're talking about nearly 250,000* jobs that are threatened by the massive loss of revenue.

This is why our industry urgently needs national and transnational aid, which will support the many companies in our sector now, so that they can fulfil their catalytic function when the economy picks up again.

What is needed in the short term, i.e. within days, is liquidity support such as short-time working allowances, interest-free loans and loan guarantees. But support funds are also needed to mitigate the worst effects and ensure that the companies affected do not have to pay back the money they desperately need.

Looking back at the EU dialogue which took place online this Tuesday on invitation of EEIA, the European Exhibition Industry Alliance. (A big "Thank you" goes to Barbara Weizs?cker and Sara Lanzilotta for all their efforts!)

This Online conference with three EU representatives has proven several things:

1. a video conference with over 100 participants impressively shows how great the pressure is on the entire trade fair industry
2. It also shows that all the EU Commission, Parliament and the European Council are making efforts to mitigate the effects of the crisis on the events industry. And they are in listening mode.

It proves also: We as an industry must make ourselves heard!

We means: each individual, we means as an association, as an industry together. And that's why one of our most urgent tasks is to talk to every politician, every member of parliament, every official about the needs of the industry. This applies at local, national and international level. Best practice examples need to be cited, such as the EUR 12 million that Denmark has made available to compensate damages caused by cancellations of large public events due to the CoVid-19 outbreak.

Furthermore, we have to ensure that the new EU initiative named Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative worth 37bn euros reaches our industry too after being approved by the European Parliament and Council.

In any case IFES is willing to support and help the trade show service provider industry. Current information is available on our website, as well as on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Or just get in touch with us directly.

So far stay save, stay healthy.

*Extrapolation of a quick poll by IFES among its 300 members.