MCH Group didn’t just intend to develop these concepts on paper but wanted to test them on site too. Some 300 people were therefore invited to a «Reloading Live» event in the City Lounge on 3 July 2020. Visitors enjoyed exciting presentations, delicious catering and – thanks to a cooperation with “Blickfang” – even a scaled-down version of this popular design fair. And the best thing about it: all this was done observing the applicable hygiene measures issued by the Federal Office of Public Health and was based on the comprehensive protection concept drawn up to this end by the MCH Group. Details of this can be found here.
“Trade fairs are classified more liberally than large-scale events, because the distancing rules can be readily implemented”, explains Jonas Scharf, Managing Director Venues MCH Group. “Since other types of events are also held in our locations, however, this test run was particularly important for us.” The communication in the runup to the event, the staggered admission and the signage, together with the protective material employed and the adaptations to the catering, were all rated positively. On the basis of the experience acquired, however, a number of things will be done differently in future on the premises at Exhibition Square in Basel. This includes, for example, the integration of a temperature scanner at the entrance and, in addition to this, loudspeaker announcements requesting guests to maintain the minimum distances. Also, face masks are taking on even greater importance following the latest decisions of the Federal Council. All in all, the overall findings would suggest that there is nothing to stand in the way of a successful programme of events in the autumn, despite the restrictions that are still in place.
