France Holds its First Outdoor Event ‘Heavent Meetings Cannes 2020’ Post Pandemic

by  EVENTFAQS Bureau Industry Watch | September 17, 2020 | News

Heavent Meetings Cannes 2020

After rescheduling Heavent Meetings – a business fair that promotes face-to-face meetings between top decision-makers and exhibitors - since March and a constantly changing situation in France due to the outbreak of COVID-19, Romuald Gadrat, CEO, and Arnaud Faucher, director of Heavent Meetings and their teams executed the first trade show Heavent Meetings Cannes 2020 in the first week of September. For the 15 countries involved in it as exhibitors and top buyers, as well as the organizer WeYou group, it was a challenging task to execute the event post the pandemic.

Around 350 exhibitors, 500 top decision-makers, 1,850 participants attended this MICE event in the Palais des Festivals, Cannes held in the beginning of September. (A)LIVE, outdoor conferences with speakers from the event industry and the Mayor of Cannes, were part of the event.

The concept (A)LIVE, created by WeYou and the French event agency association LEVENEMENT stressed on the mobilization and importance of the sector in this long-awaited economic recovery, by speaking to peers and decision-makers in the event venues, hotels, event agencies, service and technical providers space.

Heavent Meetings was held within the French health and safety constraints, adhering to all safety measures including set-up, one-way circulation path indicated by ground markings, seated meals, social distancing, the mandatory wearing of face masks procured by the organizer WeYou group, etc. Dispensers of alcohol-based hand rub were placed all around the venue and handed out to the attendees, dedicated bins and specific waste disposal system, audio/video reminders of protective measures, permanent control and monitoring of sanitary guidelines, reinforcement of the cleaning and disinfection frequency and protocols were consciously and completely respected. Everything was planned with French authorities and representatives of the Government in the South of France officially approved the sanitary protocol set up for the event.

Heavent Meetings help to create and maintain a link between companies and clients, but also prove that live communication is realizable if made by competent professionals to manage events even with all the new constraints.

Franck Riester, the French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness tweeted: “Heavent Meetings has opened its doors: this proves that trade shows can be held when strict compliance with sanitary rules is respected, and thus contribute to the recovery of our economy.”