Though ISC East’s In-Person Event Is in Limbo, Precautions Are Still Being Taken
An announcement regarding the fate of ISC East 2020 is expected in September. In the meantime, precautions for an in-person event are still being made.
Attendees filling into the ISC East 2019 show.
NEW YORK — The COVID-19 pandemic has caused nearly every major event in 2020 to either be canceled outright or moved to the virtual space (SSI has a list of every industry event affected that can be found here).
Both of the security industry’s most notable shows, ISC West and GSX, announced the cancellation of their in-person events over the summer and unveiled plans for virtual experiences.
We still await an announcement about the fate of ISC East 2020, which is currently scheduled to take place Nov. 18-19 at the Javits Center — though we now know a decision will be incoming within the next 3-4 weeks, according to an email that was recently sent out by the show.
It sounds like Reed Exhibitions, the shows producer, would prefer to run an in-person show, but will ultimately follow guidance provided by New York State and the Javits Center.
Reed Exhibitions, along with premier sponsor SIA, in partnership with ASIS NYC, and the Javits Center, is preparing for a potential in-person show by instituting new protocols and safety measures.
“Together with the Javits Center, ISC East has been committed to organizing our event 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 our network of venue partners,” Reed Exhibitions Event Director Mary Beth Shaughnessy says in the email. “As part of that commitment, and to prioritize the health and well-being of everyone at ISC East, we have created a Health & Safety Task Force to develop and implement policies and best practices around COVID-19 response and prevention.”
ISC East says it is focused on actively reviewing and strengthening its planning in connection with the following areas:
- Show layout and logistics
- Physical distancing
- Health screening and medical response
- Cleaning, sanitization and personal protective equipment
- Conference and special events
ISC East also says should an in-person show take place, attendees can expect the following:
- Clear messaging that reflects all COVID-19 protocols and requirements displayed throughout the venue/event and provided in advance to all customers, vendors and staff.
- Approved self-assessments, non-invasive entry screening, and 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.
- Clearly defined cleaning procedures, including sanitization of key touchpoints (such as door handles) during peak periods and regularly throughout the event.
- Modified exhibit floor to accommodate physical distancing, capacity limits and traffic flow.
- Modified common areas to ensure appropriate physical distancing and dedicated entrance and exit areas.
- Transparent barriers to provide physical distancing at Event management 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.
- Limits on meetings/conference session/panel capacity and revised layouts for appropriate physical distancing.
- Additional time between meetings/conference sessions/panels to allow for thorough room cleaning and sanitization.
- No handshake policy.
- Requiring the use of face coverings by all staff, customers and vendors (i) when the individual may not be able to maintain at least 6 feet of distance between themselves and others, or (ii) as required by state and local government.
Stay tuned to SSI for the latest on ISC East and other industry events. Click here to learn more about ISC East.
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About the Author
Steve Karantzoulidis, Web/Senior Editor
Steven A. Karantzoulidis is the Web Editor for Security Sales & Integration. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a degree in Communication and has a background in Film, A/V and Social Media.
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