Here at CMEExpo.ca, we know how important COVID-19 news is to our industry. Below is a list of compiled articles we've put together to keep you up-to-date on the latest COVID-19 news for our industry.
BARCELONA -- IBTM Events announced last week that IBTM World 2020 that is scheduled for December 8-10 is going virtual. According to IBTM, the "difficult decision" was made as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the unpredictable travel restrictions that are in place across the world. “Whilst we have been planning positively for a live event in December, and we know that people want … Read More about IBTM World 2020 goes virtual
The travel and hotel industries have been some of the hardest-hit during this pandemic. And while hotels are more grateful than ever to host guests as more people are starting to travel again, both hotels and travellers need to work hard together to keep everyone safe. Conde Nast Traveller has put together a guide on how to be a mindful hotel guest during this difficult time. Read their advice … Read More about How to be an ideal hotel guest during a pandemic
BETHESDA, Maryland -- According to a report from The Associated Press, Marriott International plans to lay off 17% of its corporate workforce in October as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to plague the hotel industry. In total, Marriott has confirmed that it will lay off a total of 673 workers next month at its corporate headquarters in Maryland. The company furloughed two-thirds of its … Read More about Marriott International to lay off 17% of corporate staff next month
CALGARY -- Starting September 1 WestJet, one of Canada's largest airlines, has implemented a zero-tolerance policy for all guests over the age of two to wear face masks and face coverings on their flights. According to the new policy, non-compliant guests will face penalities of being denied boarding, as well as the suspension of travel on any WestJet flight for up to one year. “Canadian … Read More about WestJet implements zero-tolerance mask policy
DALLAS – The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) announced recently that Expo! Expo!, its annual meeting and exhibition will be produced as a hybrid event this year to include virtual experiences, as well as face-to-face experiences. Expo! Expo! is set to be held from December 8-10, 2020 at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Lousiville, Ky. IAEE also … Read More about IAEE announces hybrid format for Expo! Expo!
Marriott International announced this week its new digital content and in-person efforts to reimagine the meeting experience and inspire customers to “connect with confidence.” These changes include enhanced sanitation guidelines, new training for workers, and increased use of conference technologies to ensure that customers are able to come together when they are ready. Marriott added that … Read More about Marriott International introduces new efforts for meetings and events
Just like many industries around the globe, the Canadian meetings and events industry was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of how contagious the virus has been, meeting in person was put on hold for an indefinite amount of time. So what does a business that relies on those in-person meetings do to survive? It goes virtual! That’s exactly what The Wine Sisters did to help … Read More about How The Wine Sisters persevered amidst COVID-19
FRANKFURT, Germany – According to an Associated Press article, International air travel won’t recover to pre-pandemic levels until 2024. In a press conference earlier this week, the International Air Transport Association said that air travel is recovering slower than expected, and pushed back its prediction from 2023 to 2024 because of areas in the USA, and those in developing countries that … Read More about Air traffic not expected to recover until 2024
Just because you might not be able to go to your usual sunny destination this summer, doesn't mean you should skip your annual vacation. Learn why in this Bloomberg News article, that you can read by clicking here. … Read More about Why you should still be taking vacation during a pandemic
MONTREAL – Canada’s two largest air carriers, Air Canada and WestJet, announced late last week that it would end current physical distancing policies on flights starting July 1. Their announcements came as a reply to changes with international travel guidelines. Starting on July 1, Air Canada and WestJet said they would drop their seat distancing policies and be booking flights at normal … Read More about Air Canada, WestJet to end physical distancing policies starting July 1
LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- IMEX America, which was set to take place at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas from September 15-17, has been cancelled. Ray Bloom, chairman, and Carina Bauer, CEO, IMEX Group announced the cancellation on the event’s website today, stating that global lockdown and travel restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are to blame. Bloom and Bauer released a joint … Read More about IMEX America 2020 cancelled
DALLAS, Texas -- The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) released a white paper recently titled, Essential Considerations for Safely Reopening Exhibitions and Events, Version One, to provide information for exhibition and event organizers when planning for and producing an exhibition during a pandemic. “Although we are eager to get back to our usual face-to-face business … Read More about IAEE publishes white paper on considerations for safely reopening events
The handshake is a traditional greeting that dates all the way back to the 5th century B.C. But in light of COVID-19, and many health officials are warning to avoid handshakes to prevent the spread. Check out this Time article that investigates what could replace this ancient greeting we are all so used to. … Read More about What will replace the handshake in a post-pandemic world?
WATERLOO, Ont. – The Federal government announced on Sunday that it is investing $30 million into the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) to provide financial relief to destination marketing organizations across southern Ontario that have experienced revenue shortfalls. According to the press release, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the tourism sector to suffer greatly as travel … Read More about Government of Canada invests $30 million to destination marketing organizations
TORONTO, Ont. -- BBW International operating as BBW Event Staff announced this week that it will be shifting its service during the pandemic. The company is proposing to provide what it is calling, "COVID Safety Ambassadors" to help businesses safely reopen. Sheila Wong, senior vice-president and co-founder said: “We have been left with no option but to pivot our business. If we don’t do … Read More about BBW International pivots service during COVID-19 pandemic
MONTREAL, Que. -- Air Canada and WestJet announced this week new measures they are putting in place to give customers greater peace of mind when travelling. Air Canada announced Air Canada CleanCare+ today, its new program for personal safety and enhanced aircraft cleaning to give customers greater peace of mind when travelling. According to Air Canada, the program was designed to reduce … Read More about Air Canada and WestJet announce new sanitary measures
Large hotel chains around the world, as well as Airbnb, are launching new cleanliness and hygienic measures to give guests peace of mind when staying in hotel rooms after the pandemic is over, USA Today reports. You can get the full details from the full article, by clicking here. … Read More about Hotels add new cleanliness programs amid pandemic concerns
Hotel chains in Toronto are offering free rooms to frontline healthcare workers who are working day and night under extreme conditions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to read more from the blogTO article. … Read More about Toronto hotels donating rooms to frontline healthcare workers
Editor’s Note: This article is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal advice. *** COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on the meetings and events industry – that’s no secret. And among the cancellations and postponements, more event professionals are looking closer and harder at something that would barely get a second look before – contracts. That’s right. Event … Read More about How and why contracts might change thanks to COVID-19
It's no secret the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the meetings and events industry greatly. Most event planners are feeling the pressure to postpone their event to the fall, and in essence, re-plan their event all over again. Some event planners have had to cancel their event entirely. But there is another solution to saving your upcoming event – going virtual. Making your event virtual … Read More about How to make your (now) virtual event a success
