Heavent Meetings Hosts First Event in France Since the Coronavirus Pandemic Hit

More than 350 exhibitors, 500 decision makers and 1,850 participants attended the MICE event by Heavent Meetings in the Palais des Festivals Cannes in the beginning of September. (A)LIVE, the outdoor conference, which involved speakers from the event industry and the mayor of Cannes, marked the first tradeshow taking place in France since March.

"There can never be a substitute for a real, live audience," said Heavent Meetings in a press announcement. "There is nothing stronger than the real connection between people. To feel and be part of shared live experience is undeniably incomparable."

Heavent Meetings said it complied in every detail with the French health constraints. All measures (setup, one-way circulation path indicated by ground markings, seated meals, social distancing, mandatory wearing of facemasks procured by the organizer WeYou group, dispensers of alcohol-based hand sanitizer all around the venue and handed out to the attendees, dedicated bins and specific waste disposal system, audio/video reminders of protective measures, permanent control and monitoring of sanitary guidelines, reinforcement of the cleaning and disinfection frequency and protocols…) were consciously and completely respected. Everything has been planned with French authorities and the prefect, representing the French government in the South of France, officially approved the sanitary protocol set up for the event.

Franck Riester, the French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness tweeted: “Heavent Meetings has opened its doors: this proves that trade shows can be held when strict compliance with sanitary rules is respected, and thus contribute to the recovery of our economy.”

The concept (A)LIVE, created by the group WeYou and the French event agency association LEVENEMENT revealed the mobilization and importance of the sector in this long-awaited economic recovery, by speaking to peers but also and above all to business decision-makers.

Heavent Meetings was the first one held in France since the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis started six months ago. The company adds that "nobody took for granted to be able to talk face to face—to really meet." After rescheduling Heavent Meetings since March and a constantly changing situation in France—in addition to the 15 countries concerned as exhibitors and top buyers due to COVID-19—it was a more than a challenging undertaking for the group WeYou to keep on, it said. 

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