ISC West Exhibits to Be Staged on Lower Level at Sands Expo

LAS VEGAS — Having to postpone ISC West and co-locating the event with the Global Gaming Expo in October has forced Reed Exhibitions to stage the security exhibits on the lower level of Hall G at the Sands Expo Convention Center.

ISC West exhibits is normally held on level two, with registration and conference programs on level one. Event registration will once again be conducted on level one, although not necessarily in the same location where it is typically erected.

The final layout for the exhibition space at ISC West 2020 — scheduled for Oct. 5-8 — has yet to be finalized, Will Wise, Reed Exhibitions group vice president, tells SSI.

“Given this year of market challenges and the need for efficiency across both operations, event production and staffing by exhibitors, our expectations is for companies to do smaller footprints than a normal year, and the level one halls do require less hanging signage and limiting of tall structures,” Wise said.

At this juncture, Wise said it is still too premature to determine how much total square footage for the exhibits will be available on the lower level compared to a typical year.

“It is too early for a comparison given many decisions and planning will be closer to show time in parallel with more clarity nationally and regionally regarding economic re-openings, health and safety status, and travel guidelines,” he said. “The Las Vegas casino and hotel re-openings coming up over the next two to four weeks being a good example of what we are closely tracking.”

“Every major event across industries expects shows to be smaller and with re-imagined formats,” Wise continued, “then ramping up in scale for 2021 and beyond while incorporating long-term, permanent new policies, best practices and health technology.”

One point of context Wise mentioned vis-à-vis the lower level exhibits area: the CES technology show always uses it as a major piece of the city-wide event, with more than 600 companies on that level.

The various conferences rooms typically used for ISC West educational sessions will remain mostly unchanged; however, due to still-to-be announced physical distancing strategies for large sessions such as keynotes, auxiliary rooms will be used where live video streams can be viewed, Wise said.

Health & Safety Task Force

Reed Exhibitions, which also produces ISC East, announced on May 28 the creation of a Health & Safety Task Force to develop and implement policies and best practices around COVID-19 response and prevention.

The announcement indicates much remains in flux for the planning and staging of ISC West.

“Whether we are able to continue the physical/face-to-face event, convert to a hybrid approach, or transform to a fully digital/virtual format for this year, the health and safety at industry events, office facilities, transportation facilities/systems, and entertainment & hospitality venues remains top of mind for ISC and Reed Exhibitions,” the announcement states.

The events producer said it is committed to organizing events in line with up to date guidance from public health officials, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO), state and local governments and the protocols put in place by its network of venue partners.

The announcement listed five operational pillars related to health and safety: show layout and logistics (including expo floorplans, entrance/exits and recommended booth guidelines); physical distancing (including capacity and flow of people); health screening and medical response; cleaning, sanitization and personal protective equipment; and, conference rooms, special events and talent handling.

Using these pillars as its framework, Reed said it is considering the following to supplement the guidelines and procedures that the venues have or will be rolling out in the coming weeks:

• Clear messaging displayed throughout the venue and provided in advance to all customers and staff;

• Health questionnaires, non-invasive entry screening and monitoring, including additional medical facilities and response teams;

• Hand sanitizer dispensers deployed throughout exhibit hall and other areas;

• Use of disinfectant products that have been pre-approved and certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use against emerging viruses, bacteria, and other airborne and blood-borne pathogens;

• Sanitization of key touch points (such as door handles) during peak periods and regularly throughout the event;

• Modifying the exhibit floor to accommodate physical distancing, capacity limits and traffic flow;

• Modifying all common areas, entrances and exit areas with appropriate physical distancing;

• Transparent barriers where appropriate to provide physical distancing at customer-contact areas and service elements;

• Clear guidelines around booth design and cleaning requirements for all exhibitors and on-site inspections to ensure compliance with those requirements;

• Limiting of conference session capacity and revised layout for appropriate physical distancing with additional time between conference sessions to allow for thorough room cleaning and sanitization;

• No handshakes policy; and

• Requiring the use of face coverings when individuals may not be able to maintain at least 6 feet of distance between themselves and others.

ISC Security Events has also launched the Discovery Zone platform, which aggregates digital resources and tools to help keep attendees and businesses up-to-date and connected. To be alerted when registration opens for ISC West 2020, go here.

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