Covid-19: European exhibition centers want to reopen after losing € 125 billion

The major exhibition centers in Europe alerted Wednesday on " the urgency of their reopening " and asked for " strong financial support " to overcome the health crisis which, according to them, translates into losses of 125 billion euros.

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" Since March, all events and fairs are banned and at least until September 1, " which had a " considerable economic impact " on the sector, with " financial losses estimated at 125 billion euros ”at the end of June, said in a press release the Emeca association, which brings together large exhibition centers and convention centers from the Old Continent.

" The reopening of the exhibition grounds, at the latest on September 1, is essential and all the necessary sanitary measures are ready to be implemented ", affirm these managers of exhibition grounds and convention centers, among which GL Events which operates Eurexpo Lyon and Viparis which manages Paris Expo, in France.

The layout and configuration of the spaces have thus been redesigned, " both for professional events and for the general public " to " meet the most stringent health and safety standards recommended by local authorities, " they say.

Sector very affected by the crisis

Emeca also requests " strong financial support from national and European public authorities to ensure the survival and economic recovery of an entire sector ", with measures such as the exemption of rents and charges, subsidies and exceptional loans, tax relief on salaries in particular.

Because the sector " as well as tourism, hotels and catering " is " one of the most affected by the Covid-19 crisis ", she said, estimating that it will take " two to three years to return to the level of activity before the crisis ”.

However, the activity of many players, most often SMEs, depends directly on the reopening of these sites, she continues: " standists ", restaurateurs, caterers, logisticians, translators, hoteliers, hospitality professionals.

" We were the first sector to be forced to close our doors and we could be the last to be able to reopen to the public, " said Emeca president Maurits van der Sluis, while lifting travel restrictions is a precondition for resumption.

Postponements and cancellations of events thus made the sector lose 40% of its revenues in the first quarter and 100% in the second, he said, while revenues should further plunge by " 60% " in the third quarter.