It’s not an easy time to be planning an exhibition, but the organisers of the Holland Fisheries Event, the biennial fisheries exhibition that takes place in Urk, are pushing ahead with this year’s event – and taking precautions to protect exhibitors and visitors against coronavirus.
According to project manager Paula van der Woude, it seemed for some time that Holland Fisheries Event 2020 would also have to be postponed due to the corona outbreak. But considering the recent positive development of the virus situation and the subsequent relaxation of the corona measures in the Netherlands, the event can fortunately go ahead on 2nd-3rd of October at De Koningshof in Urk.
The organisers submitted a comprehensive safety plan to the municipality of Urk and the Flevoland safety region, setting out precautions to be taken. These include greater distance for exhibitors and visitors, one-way traffic through the venue and the use of time blocks to limit the number of visitors visiting the fair simultaneously. It is therefore necessary for visitors to register in advance and record a time block/s.
In spite of the corona situation, the project team has seen a definite interest from exhibitors at previous events seeking to re-book, with the majority wanting the same spot again, as well as a growth in interest in visiting Holland Fisheries Event from Lithuania, Denmark, Great Britain and other countries.
‘The Flynth pavilion has been fully rented out, as well as the popular B and D tent pavilion and the C pavilion where VCU and business relations will present themselves,’ Paula van der Woude said.
‘Despite the uncertain times in this corona crisis, we see a continuing demand for stand space on the exhibition floor.’
This is the eleventh time that the Holland Fisheries Event takes place in Urk, and the fifth time at the present venue. Organised by Stichting Visserijdagen Urk, the Holland Fisheries Event brings in 3000 visitors from all parts of the maritime chain, including entrepreneurs, vessel owners, skippers, fishermen, teachers, students, directors, sector representatives, fish auction staff and advisors in the field of communication, finance and insurance. During the exhibition, HFE will offer a substantive programme in the conference room. Wageningen Marine Research will be providing an interactive seminar for professional fishermen and the event’s main sponsor Flynth is laying on lectures.
‘The fair offers more than a hundred national and international exhibitors the opportunity to show their latest products and services to a wide audience. It’s a place to network, strengthen relationships and work together on future-proof innovations. The fair is known for really doing business,’ Paula van der Woude said.
