With its doors reopening for the first time in 18 months from the 5-8th September at the NEC, Birmingham, Autumn Fair, co-located with Moda, has introduced Covid-19 status checks for all attendees on arrival at the show. In addition, it has updated its Safe & Secure Guidelines to deliver a high level of health and safety measures.
Following the Government’s latest guidance, and working in consultation with the Association of Event Organisers (AEO), it has been confirmed that this September’s Autumn Fair will request that all attendees, including visitors, exhibitors, contractors, venue and organiser staff verify their Covid-19 status on arrival. This means all attendees will need to demonstrate proof of Covid-19 status for entry to the event. This will need to be one of the following: proof of completion of a full course of vaccination two weeks prior to arrival; proof of a negative Lateral Flow Test taken within 48hrs of arrival (retaken and reported every 72hrs); or proof of natural immunity shown by a positive PCR test result for Covid-19, lasting for 180 days from the date of the positive test and following completion of the self-isolation period.
Further details on how to prove Covid-19 status and FAQs can be found here, and further information for international exhibitors and visitors will be provided soon.
Over the last year, the event’s organiser, Hyve Group, has worked closely with AEO to establish the guidance which has been approved by UK Government. Its Safe & Secure stamp, visible on-site, indicates the highest health and safety standards across its global events, including Autumn Fair.
Ian Solomon, operations director, Hyve Group, says: “The health and safety of our customers and community have been, and continues to be, a top priority as we return to delivering events and facilitating trade again. As such, it was imperative for Autumn Fair and Moda to verify attendees’ Covid-19 status on arrival.
"We have made the decision to implement Covid-19 status checks, even though this is not currently mandated within Government guidelines, as the evidence suggests that this is the best way for us to reduce the risk of transmission within the event itself. Putting these checks in place adds an additional layer of reassurance for all attendees once they are inside the event. Furthermore, our risk assessment is substantial, and the updated Safe & Secure guidelines are designed to deliver industry-leading health and safety standards and procedures that will help put the minds of our community at ease.”
Other key features of the updated guidelines include a reduced contact registration system, a Code of Conduct, and exhibitors have been given a wealth of advice on exhibition stands, including guidance on stand layout, data capture, staffing and displaying product effectively. Autumn Fair will also be a mask-friendly event. While it is no longer mandatory to wear masks within event spaces, the organiser is encouraging all attendees to consider wearing masks, especially when in enclosed or crowded spaces.
The forthcoming Autumn Fair is set to be the largest home, gift and fashion event for the autumn season. Co-located with Moda, it now offers visitors a mix of fashion, footwear, and jewellery within key shopping destinations – Home, Gift, Fashion, Design and Source.
Julie Driscoll, MD, retail & fashion, Hyve Group, comments: “Autumn Fair is a curated show for a new era of retail, designed to reinvigorate the industry and provide the essential networking and product inspiration that the industry has missed during the pandemic.
"All the measures being put in place are to help exhibitors and visitors feel confident about attending events once again. There is huge pent-up interest, but quite rightly we need to provide clear information and the correct procedures. The new guidelines enable exhibitors and visitors to understand what to expect on-site. With our longstanding heritage and experience, we can confidently deliver a trusted platform and marketplace for physical business to take place again and give buyers the chance to discover a whole host of inspirational products and collections from returning favourites, as well as new, sustainable, made-in-Britain, and a huge number of ‘exclusive to the Autumn Fair’ brands.”
