ICCA’s Research Division are monitoring the status of all 1,058 meetings in the ICCA Association Database currently scheduled in Asia Pacific for 2020:65 meetings scheduled for Asia Pacific are affected by COVID-19 (4.9%) – last week we measured 44 meetings (4.1%). Of these 65 meetings, 52 are postponed, 11 cancelled and 2 relocated.
Outside Asia Pacific, 10 meetings are affected; 4 are postponed (1 in Africa and 3 in Europe), 2 cancelled (1 in Europe and 1 in North America). 4 relocated (2 in Europe and 2 in North America). Of the 75 meetings affected globally, below is the subject breakdown. ICCA CEO, SenthilGopinath said: “We encourage our member-suppliers and associations to be pragmatic in these challenging times but to also share positive messages where possible. Big events are continuing to take place in their destinations, despite worries and complications brought from the COVID-19 outbreak. To boost the meetings industry during this difficult period, we should send out encouraging messages to show we are united, resilient and confident as an industry. Although we are in a period of uncertainty, we must look forward and proceed as best we can, working together to ensure all member-suppliers and association’s well-being and safety is at the forefront of our decision making, while trying to continue with upcoming activities.
We should be prepared for negative messaging about the need for people to meet face-to-face, but where this is not possible, we must collaborate and bring solutions to maintain the exchange of information, as we believe the international meetings industry can have a role in finding the solution to the outbreak. We have further analysed the impact of meetings and sectors and I am sure this will be beneficial to our members. Let’s remain united and work together to overcome the challenges that COVID-19 presents.”
