2020 In Review – A Recap of CAEM’s Advocacy Work and Member Initiatives

Faced with the complete shutdown of the exhibition sector in the Spring 2020, The Canadian Association of Exposition Management reacted quickly and decisively, shifting its focus and priorities entirely to advocate on behalf of its members and for the future of the exhibition industry.  Over the last 9 months of 2020, CAEM worked tirelessly to raise our industry’s voice with government and put our industry on the map with policy-makers and decision-makers in every corner of the country.  Under CAEM’s leadership, our industry has united like never before, and together we have succeeded on many fronts.

The following pivotal actions and accomplishments were achieved in 2020 by CAEM:

  • Forming CAEM’s Exposition Recovery Taskforce (national and regional groups) to advocate for the safe reopening of the sector.
  • Meeting regularly with taskforce(s) to advance advocacy priorities and goals.
  • Writing and submitting Safe Reopening Guidelines to each of the provincial governments.
  • Initiating multiple industry-wide letter writing campaigns to MPPs and MLAs across the country to amplify our voice and message.
  • Creating a bi-weekly industry Newsletter to keep members informed of CAEM’s ongoing advocacy work and member initiatives.
  • Meeting with government(s) and educating them on the purpose and nature of trade and consumer shows.
  • Advocating provincially for the safe reopening of the sector:
    • ON: Working with MPP Deepak Anand to engage different Ministers.
    • ON: Securing an industry-roundtable meeting with Minister MacNaughton and his office.
    • ON: Working with GR specialist Amir Remtulla to engage different Ministers.
    • ON: Chairing the Meeting and Event Spaces Working Group, formed by the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, to develop a more viable reopening plan and recommend modifications to the existing guidelines released by the Province.
    • BC: Revising our Safe Reopening Guidelines to receive WorkSafeBC’s endorsement.
    • BC:  Working actively with the Regional Event Management Committee, formed by the Province and Dr. Bonnie Henry's office, to roll out “test events” and an eventual plan to increase event sizes (when it is safe to do so).
    • AB:  Succeeding in reopening the exhibition sector through our joint advocacy efforts while working directly with public health to help shape and influence reopening guidelines and measures.
    • QC:  Advocating directly – in collaboration with APEQ – with Public Health and the Minister of Tourism, for capacity limits based on total square footage, rather than a set number of people.
    • MB:  Supporting the approach of the recently formed Manitoba Exhibition Restart Taskforce to advocate for viable reopening guidelines.
    • SK:  Advocating for more favourable reopening conditions, with support from member companies.
    • NB:  Meeting with government and Worksafe NB to reopen exhibitions in Q1 of 2021.
    • NS:  Advocating directly with various areas of government as well as the Chief Medical Officer, that has resulted in an approved reopening plan that follows a cohort management model.
    • PEI:  Collaborating with Public Health to develop a safe reopening plan. Discussions are ongoing.
    • NL:  Working with venues and government to build a reopening plan that respects current indoor gathering restrictions.
  • Creating a Reopening Toolkit with resources like a COVID-19 General Readiness Checklist, a Safe Reopening Guideline Template and a COVID-19 Safety Acknowledgement Form to help members navigate eventual reopening and recovery.
  • Collaborating closely with strategic partners like TIAC, TIAO, MMBC and Convention Centres of Canada to strengthen our voice on behalf of business events, tourism and hospitality.
  • Keeping the industry connected through CAEM’s regular Connecting with Colleagues Over Coffee virtual event.
  • Creating a new Auxiliary Membership Category in order to ensure all industry professionals can remain active and engaged in CAEM, especially during these trying times.
  • Delivering targeted education, through Power Education Day, to equip and empower members with knowledge, resources and strategies to navigate the current landscape.
  • Retaining the services of Public Affairs Firm, Crestview Strategy, to help CAEM advocate federally for short-term and long-term funding and support for the exhibition sector.
  • Conducting an industry-wide economic impact survey to assess the need and potential impact of sector-specific support.
  • Initiating our Federal Engagement Plan with the help of Crestview Strategy.