Royal Jaarbeurs today became the first event venue in the Netherlands to receive the COVID-19 prevention measures quality mark from inspection institute Kiwa. Kiwa has recently tested the measures Jaarbeurs has taken to prevent the possible spread of the corona virus. With the seal of approval, Jaarbeurs can show that exhibitions, conferences and other gatherings take place according to the highest safety standards.
The Kiwa seal of approval for COVID-19 prevention measures helps event venues make it clear to visitors and guests that a venue has done everything possible to ensure safety in the best possible way. As the largest event venue, Jaarbeurs finds it important to contribute to the launch of the hallmark and to contribute to people's confidence that events can take place safely.
COVID-19 coordinator of Jaarbeurs ir Rob Kraan: "We are very proud to have acquired this quality mark. This shows that we have a safe basis on which events can take place. Of course, at the end of the day, we rely on the behaviour of our guests and visitors. Only together can we ensure that Jaarbeurs really can be the safest event location in the Netherlands."
The Kiwa quality mark is there for organisations that want to have their COVID-19 prevention measures assessed against applicable national and international requirements and any additional industry or company guidelines. As part of the quality mark, Kiwa periodically carries out an assessment, checking an organisation's protocols and prevention measures. If the policy to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus complies with the applicable guidelines, this results in a Kiwa compliance certificate and hallmark.
"As Kiwa, we are enormously proud to be able to contribute to the safe organisation of events at the Jaarbeurswith this hallmark," says Michael van der Vlies, Divisional Director Kiwa Management Systems. "We all know that the corona virus outbreak has had a huge impact on the trade fair and event sector. I therefore hope that our COVID-19 prevention measures seal of approval will help the Jaarbeurs get back to organising great events when possible. That is not only good for the Jaarbeurs itself, but for everyone who attends such an event, business or private."
Jaarbeurs app will help with crowd control
Jaarbeurs today also launched the first version of an app that makes it easy to adjust your behaviour during a trade fair or event. Visitors can use the Jaarbeurs Welcome app to quickly see where it is busy in the complex and then choose to visit another part of the event first. In turn, the Jaarbeurs itself can deploy targeted hosts and hostesses to spread people out more. The Welcome app works through hundreds of so-called beacons, which are hung in the Jaarbeurs halls. Through technology based on geomagnetic radiation, crowd control can be organised down to the metre. This is the first time this technology has been deployed in this form in the Netherlands.
Jaarbeurs and corona
Like the entire event industry, Jaarbeurs has been hit hard by the corona virus. Arp: "Fortunately, we were in good health when the crisis started. Now it is a matter of being ready and guaranteeing the safety of employees and visitors even more once the doors are allowed to open a little further again." Earlier this year, Jaarbeurs also opened a temporary theatre, SCALA, which was built taking into account the RIVM's recommendations. The theatre allows up to 1,060 people to enjoy a performance at a safe distance from each other. A full overview of the prevention measures taken by Jaarbeurs can be found atjaarbeurs. On 14 January 2021, Jaarbeurs will host a live Q and A session via its website.
