Trade Show going ahead despite restrictions, what can I do?

mrkat · 18 June 2021 at 6:26AM

I run a very small business and booked a trade show for July 2020 which got moved to 2021. I thought it wouldn't go ahead as it starts on July 18th (before the next proposed lifting of restrictions) but they've just announced that it will be. They say they have the backing of local authorities and have safety measures in place etc but I think it's very irresponsible and unfair for those, like me, who will not have received their second jab by then. It's their responsibility to get as many buyers through the door as possible but that goes against government advice for keeping numbers low and I don't see how social distancing will be kept.

The organisers have already proved that they don't really care, are just interested in money, and are hiding behind small print in contracts. It seems like my only option now is to pay the complete stand price and just not go if I don't feel safe but losing £5k with no return will be a huge hit. Does anyone have any advice on what I can do or people I could contact?

silvercar · 18 June 2021 at 6:57AM

Erect plastic screens around your stall, put a rope barrier to maintain distance. Have hand gel available, wear a mask…..

You will have a reasonable amount of protection from your first dose. You can bring your second dose forward to 8 weeks in England by going on the national booking system if that helps.

The_Fat_Controller · 18 June 2021 at 7:33AM

The world has to start moving on and get back to a semblance of normality.

There is nobody to "contact" if the event has been approved by the local authority and appropriate measures are in place.

My advice, mask-up and get on with running your business.

sheramber · 18 June 2021 at 8:25AM

Since they have to adhere to covid measures it will actually be safer than after these are removed.

The virus is not going away any time soon.

When Boris says lockdown os over it will still be out there.

daveyjp · 18 June 2021 at 8:31AM

The event may be going ahead, whether people will turn up is a different matter.

ThisnotThat · 18 June 2021 at 9:18AM

mrkat said:

I run a very small business and booked a trade show for July 2020 which got moved to 2021. I thought it wouldn't go ahead as it starts on July 18th (before the next proposed lifting of restrictions) but they've just announced that it will be. They say they have the backing of local authorities and have safety measures in place etc but I think it's very irresponsible and unfair for those, like me, who will not have received their second jab by then. It's their responsibility to get as many buyers through the door as possible but that goes against government advice for keeping numbers low and I don't see how social distancing will be kept.

The organisers have already proved that they don't really care, are just interested in money, and are hiding behind small print in contracts. It seems like my only option now is to pay the complete stand price and just not go if I don't feel safe but losing £5k with no return will be a huge hit. Does anyone have any advice on what I can do or people I could contact?

If you won't have received your second vaccination by then that means you are at an extremely low risk even unvaccinated.

Barny1979 · 18 June 2021 at 9:20AM

As above, you were not considered as CEV and you are in a younger age bracket too.

ThisnotThat · 18 June 2021 at 9:26AM

Just to add, if it's taking place on July 18th then that's one day before the restrictions are lifted (if we're to believe the Government.) Do you really think that one day is going to make any difference at all?

I half suspect you're realising that there won't be many people there and just want your five grand back and are looking for excuses to ask for it back. But then I am pretty cynical.

Barny1979 · 18 June 2021 at 9:32AM

mrkat said:

I run a very small business and booked a trade show for July 2020 which got moved to 2021. I thought it wouldn't go ahead as it starts on July 18th (before the next proposed lifting of restrictions) but they've just announced that it will be. They say they have the backing of local authorities and have safety measures in place etc but I think it's very irresponsible and unfair for those, like me, who will not have received their second jab by then. It's their responsibility to get as many buyers through the door as possible but that goes against government advice for keeping numbers low and I don't see how social distancing will be kept.

The organisers have already proved that they don't really care, are just interested in money, and are hiding behind small print in contracts. It seems like my only option now is to pay the complete stand price and just not go if I don't feel safe but losing £5k with no return will be a huge hit. Does anyone have any advice on what I can do or people I could contact?

The event will have needed a Safety Advisory Group organised by the Local Authority, with Health, Emergency Services, Trading and Environmental Health etc who will approved the Plan that the organiser would have brought to the meeting which they need to apply for, events are restricted to a specific number of visitors.

TBagpuss · 18 June 2021 at 10:11AM

Can you speak to the organiser to clarify what the safety measures will be, , which may enable you to feel a little more comfortable - and then plan to enhance these with your own (masking, extra sanitiser, any signage to ensure distancing around your stall etc)

It sounds as though they have taken appropriate steps in line with the current guidance and local authorities, so I don't think that the fact that *their* assessment of risk is different to yours means that they are cynical or uncaring, although I understand that you are worried about your own safety.

Is the show normally an annual thing? If so, you could enquire as to whether they would be willing to allow you to move your booking to next year, although they are not obliged to do so

As a previous poster has said, depending on your age you may also be able to look to bring forward your second jab, if you are over 40 or considered vulnerable.

mrkat · 18 June 2021 at 11:20AM

Thanks for all the replies and for putting things into perspective. I understand that things need to start going back to normal but I am still hesitant about going to an event with thousands of people. A lot of my friends/family were affected by covid and I have friends in their thirties (+ kids) who are still being affected by long covid so I've been extra careful since last March. Now it just feels like I'm being forced to go to a mass event or lose £5k. As one comment mentioned above, yes I would like that 5k back because I know others will also be being careful like me. It's not an excuse to be concerned both about safety issues and the event not being as advertised. As I said - it's the organisers responsibility to get as many people through the door as possible which is what we're paying for but won't be getting. From what I understand, the current restrictions allow 1000 visitors per event or half capacity.

They already showed last year that they don't care for their exhibitors by saying that the show was 'postponed' to the following year, even though it's an annual event. This was to avoid using the term 'cancelled' as this would have meant issuing refunds. I had 4 trade shows booked and this is the only one I didn't get a refund for. I have little trust that they are doing anything now that isn't purely for their benefit.

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Trade Show going ahead despite restrictions, what can I do?

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