AS THE WORLD CONTEMPLATES RESTART AFTER PANDEMIC PAUSE
…EMWA IGNITES THE RETURN OF INDUSTRY LIVE EVENT IN WEST AFRICA
It’s “time to revive the EU Tourism Industry and for cross-border friendships to rekindle -- safely,” - Ursula von der Leyen said on Twitter.
With that statement from the President of European Commission - Ursula von der Leyen, it’s clear that the world (and not just Europe) is eager to get back to business with ease of restrictions after a long pandemic pause, finally contemplating a restart. And with the world ultimately having a grip on the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, people are beginning to assemble and approach life and business in a way that show what they miss about the time before COVID-19 with plans that include a return of industry live events.
A visit by WHERE To Print magazine to Equipment & Manufacturing West Africa (EMWA) Exhibition and Conference which took place from Tuesday 27 to Thursday 29 April 2021 at Landmark Centre, Lagos Nigeria was indeed a pointer to industry’s desire and need for bringing people back together in a live environment. And this was largely evident in participants at the premier trade show for manufacturing, engineering, machinery and supporting industries.
EMWA AWAKENS INDUSTRY ENERGY
(c) EMWA
COVID-19 pandemic has driven home the importance of in-person events. The past year has really highlighted how much we value and crave human interaction, and how difficult it is on all of us when that is missing. EMWA provided not only the platform to get back to business but most especially to see, feel and physically interact.
EMWA showcased up-to-date manufacturing technologies and automobiles with free-to-attend knowledge-based conferences. Meeting some of the visitors and exhibitors one-on-one, WHERE To Print observed a natural sense of liveness in every participant on the exhibition floor.
(c) EMWA
According to Funke Alli - a visitor; “Apart from coming here to network, personally to me - there's a lot of pent-up longing to physically see my friends and colleagues, live. The online video calls or WhatsApp is getting boring and mentally draining. We have to get out and feel, touch, and ask about ourselves, families and friends. We’re people and not robots” Ms. Alli stressed.
When asked how it felt to be in a live trade event? Mr. Godwin Obed Akpan, a Business Executive at Actolog Solution LTD responded; “It’s more than just a feeling,” answered Mr. Akpan whose firm is into sale, service and installation of high-end Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) meant to support critical applications such as datacenters, medical establishments, printing, security, manufacturing and other industries.
Mr. Akpan also enthusiastically explained that; “Our customers are very happy to see us physically” expressing further that, with the physical interaction opportunity presented by EMWA, he was able to explain in practical details, salient features and workings of his company’s high-end UPS not only to would-be customers but also customers who needed to upgrade to higher level of technology due to increased operating capacity. “I know the positive feedback we’ve received so far on our UPS will be translated into installations across the country very soon” he disclosed.
And that optimism is justified. According to Joseph Oru, the Managing Director of Zenith Exhibitions, organiser of EMWA, the world has been waiting to get back to business especially to see, feel and physically interact apart from the core reasons that exhibitions provide. When asked why EMWA took the bull by the horn to stage the first industry event in West Africa since the pandemic with all the associated risks, Mr. Oru said: “Without doubt, the pandemic has affected everybody - businesses are down, and there’s a need in the market to fill. There’s need for the economy to re-start. If you want business, you need to take the bull by the horn” he expressed while noting the multiplier effects of international trade shows as platforms to boost the badly hit travel, hospitality, and tourism industries.
But won’t these add more costs especially to foreign exhibitors, asked WHERE To Print. “Not at all” enthused Mr. Oru who explained that his firm had worked out an arrangement with all stakeholders especially hotels in getting fair deal that everybody was happy with. “We had mutually beneficial relationship with our partners particularly the hotels for our guests. We received a highly considerate discount agreement from our partner hotels especially on the 7-day quarantine requirement by the Government. We created a value system where all organisations are happy at the end of the day”.
Surely, COVID-19 pandemic has driven home the importance of in-person events. But did the venue and the organiser adhered strictly to health and safety protocols as outlined by the authorities?
ENSURING HEALTH AND SAFETY OF EVERYONE
Information gathered from Lagos State Safety Commission through www.lasgsafetyreg.com, for any proposed event or exhibition in Nigeria’s Commercial Capital - Lagos State, showed that Landmark Centre and Zenith Exhibitions had mapped out strategies that ensured all protocols and guidelines were fully implemented. “We’ve outlined measures across the event, in addition to this - we strictly follow local and national Government laws, as well as venue and industry specific requirements. Bringing people together remains at the heart of what we do, and our commitment are designed to keep our exhibitors, visitors, sponsors, partners and delegates safe whilst doing business” answered Ms. Uche Agu - who manages Zenith Exhibitions Operations aside being the Founder of Forte Events LTD.
WHERE To Print gathered that Zenith Exhibitions aligned with Landmark Centre credence of ‘Venue Safe’ as a measure to ensure strict adherence to all safety and hygiene procedures for live events. These include but not limited to: a team of dedicated and highly trained “Venue Safe Champions” from build-up to dismantling; wearing of masks at all times; keeping to 2 meters social distancing guideline; real-time monitoring of crowd density at all times; social distancing signs and direction floor marks throughout the venue; sanitisers readily available at multiple locations; daily disinfection; and fully functional ambulance on site in case of emergency, amongst others.
And with the success of this year’s EMWA that has seen endorsement of by over 60% of the exhibitors for 2022 event, organisers have confirmed EMWA 2022 dates to be from 26 to 28 April at the same Landmark Centre Lagos, Nigeria.
LANDMARK INNOVATIONS
It was also observed that the Management of West Africa’s premier event venue - Landmark Centre, Lagos purposefully used the period of restrictions and event venue closure to upgrade and put in place better and more efficient infrastructure throughout the over 9 acres spectacular beach front location.
Overlooking the majestic Atlantic Ocean, Landmark Centre now has 24/7 free high-speed internet connection for all. Easily visible pockets of Free WIFI Connect to Landmark Hotspots are strategically located around the venue up to Landmark Leisure Beach to ensure a value-driven end-user experience. And if you are a visitor (or an exhibitor) to any event at Landmark, your badge entitles you to free admission to the expansive Lagos first in-city private beachfront that features a boardwalk along the Atlantic coastline, spanning the distance of the entire Landmark Village. Landmark Leisure Beach offers a combination of leisure and recreational activities to adults and children.
It should be noted that Landmark Centre comprises two halls with main hall measuring 2230sqm of event space and 520sqm of conference/meeting rooms. The second hall has an additional 1452sqm capacity and serves as both exhibition and event space. The Centre is therefore the ideal destination for any sized occasion be it exhibitions, banquets or for conferences with all conveniences. Not only that, Landmark Centre also has breath-taking 400sqm Ocean Side terrace, perfect for evening cocktails, after parties and wedding ceremonies.
And with the changing trends in lifestyles combines with the demands of Lagos as a Metropolitan City, Venue has been further upgraded with simplicity and ease of use to truly serve as a truly all-round relaxation spot topped by diverse shops, cafes, eateries, hotel and cinema.
STATE GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION: MOTORABLE ONIRU AND VICTORIA ISLAND AXIS
Aside the internal working relationship between the host State - Lagos, and the venue owners - Landmark Centre to boost tourism, entertainment and hospitality industries’ developments in the State, one vital note that WHERE To Print was glad to experience was the spectacular drive along the Oniru and Victoria Island axis leading to the venue. Indeed, the roads were totally transformed making transit to-and-fro an enjoyable experience.
CONCLUSION
(c) EMWA
While observers believe there’s still chances of the world experiencing third, fourth or fifth wave (of the pandemic), others dismissed the effects on businesses citing increased knowledge and control of the disease over the past two years. They noted that third, fourth, fifth or any predictive wave would be less catastrophic; “We just have to learn how to live with this pandemic like any other - years before. We’ll continue to support authorities and governments in their quest to nip the pandemic in the bud, but we won’t be deterred in building our lives, businesses, and cultures through venues such as live event like this that preserves lives, teams, partnerships, and collaborations. We are proud to be back to in-persons interactions!” concludes Funke Alli.
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