IoD West Midlands Spring 2020

• Introduce strict social distancing
protocols
• Utilise data and technology to support
contact tracing and testing
• Focus protocols and communications
to reinforce behavioural change
• Implement measures to minimise the
causation of transmission
• Minimise ‘Risk People’ Entering the
venue: Thermal imaging technology will
be applied at all controlled entry points.
Any individuals presenting with symptoms
can be identified and will be moved to
isolation areas with NHS protocols on site.
Individuals will then be tested using the
same technology available at drive through
test centres.
Those showing positive results will be
managed in line with existing NHS
protocols.
• Minimise ‘Risk Objects’ Entering the
venue: Restrictions will be introduced on
luggage allowed in venue, and any luggage
entering the venue will need to be treated
at specific luggage sanitisation stations.
• Enhanced Cleaning and Sanitisation
Regimes:
c1. Daily Deep Cleans: All venues will
introduce a comprehensive sanitation
regime during opening hours, with
particular focus on all public spaces and
frequent contact surfaces.
c2. Hand Sanitiser Dispensers: Available
in key areas such as entrances and catering
areas, these will be positioned in the
one-way lanes around site. Similar to the
use in hospitals, hand sanitiser will also be
at every staff entrance and usage will be
mandatory.
c3. HvAC Systems: Increased use of
these systems to ensure greater fresh air
input.
c4. Seating Treatments: Communal area
seating and event seating will be regularly
treated with anti-bacterial spray and other
technologies under investigation
• Introduce strict social distancing
protocols
• Manage Audiences: (process and
behaviour)
All venue ingress and egress will
maintain a social distancing protocol
similar to the measures currently in place
for supermarkets.
• Adapt Event Format: Floor plans will
be devised to create adequate space
between exhibitors.
“The NEC Group is working with industry
bodies to develop protocols for running
organised gatherings in safe and controlled
environments for known audiences that
comply with social distancing requirements,
• Allocate Time Slots: Events will
operate with timed visitor slots (eg,
morning and afternoon sessions) to help
manage visitor flow and density.
• Controlled In-Venue Circulation:
Social distancing measures will be in place
with one-way circulation paths mapped
out for attendees to follow. The approach
will be similar, but more defined and not
variable, to those in place in retail
environments like Ikea.
• Maintain two metres distance: All staff
and visitors will be advised to maintain the
physical distancing measures put in place
by the UK Government and NHS England,
which will be communicated prominently
around the venue. Current advice
recommends at least two metres away
from others, thus reducing space
capacities but still allowing for the
circulation of people.
• Utilise data and technology to support
contact tracing and testing
• Traceability through data: All events,
whether trade or consumer, will have a
strict pre-registration or ticketing
process to ensure that audiences
are known. Compliance with
this will be mandatory to gain
entry to events. Individuals
who have not registered in
advance will be required to
provide their details on arrival.
• Government Support:
Download confirmation of the
NHSX app will be required to
successfully complete the
event registration
process.
Individuals’
registration for events will also confirm
acceptance, that if required, their details
can be supplied by the Group to the
government for tracing purposes (in
accordance with GDPR).
• Regular Staff Testing: A particular
focus will be on frontline staff.
• Focus protocols and communications
to reinforce behavioural change
• Touch-Free: Customer journeys will
be adapted using the latest technology to
ensure touch-free journeys from car parks
and train stations into venues with
designated walking routes, marked up
with visible social distancing signage and
messaging, plus alternative, sanitised door
push opening products.
• Safe Food and Beverage Services:
Food and beverage will be integrated into
the one-way lanes with grab and go
provision, and social distancing and
protective measures will be implemented
throughout venue restaurants and
facilities. We will adopt cashless and
touch-free payment only inside venues
and the use of pre-ordering services will be
encouraged to reduce queuing.
• Appropriate Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE): This will be worn by all
employees based on their role and
responsibilities and in adherence with
health and government guidance.
Training on how to properly use and
dispose of all PPE will be mandatory.
Gloves will be provided to employees
whose responsibilities include
housekeeping, first aid and security.
• Staff training: All employees will
complete training before they return to
work and daily/pre shift briefings will
reinforce key messaging. Best practice
briefing documents outlining the latest
expert advice will be made available via
the Group’s intranet platforms.
• Clear and prominent
communications: NEC Group
venues have highly visible digital
screens situated in key locations
across sites. These devices offer
great exposure to audiences and
will carry clear and impactful social
distancing messages as a constant
reminder to all on site.
• Pre-Visit Briefings:
Communications will be
issued to visitors
advising them of
the new
protocols; this
content will
also be
displayed on
all Group
Paul Thandi
websites.
www.iod.com/westmids/events
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