Coronavirus Fears & Trade Show Cancellations

 

Coronavirus written in red stamp font

The looming fear of the Coronavirus, or COVID-19, is causing many trade shows worldwide to postpone or even cancel. If your event is still scheduled to run, it is best to frequently check with the host of your show for status updates. We, at Transit Air Cargo, are also monitoring the status of upcoming shows and are handling logistical adjustments for customers caused by the COVID-19 virus.

If your show has officially been postponed or cancelled, Transit Air Cargo is has your back. We have already been working with exhibitors from over 20 cancelled shows.

If your freight has already shipped to the show, we will either ship it back or you can utilize our temporary storage options throughout the US and Canada. Also, once your show is rebooked, we are here to provide you with the high quality service that only a trade show shipping specialist, such as ourselves, can provide.

Please remember that not all shows have been cancelled or postponed. We understand the amount of time and money that goes into trade shows and trade show planning. We also know that companies rely on and utilize trade shows to jump-start their revenue efforts. Other shows are still going as planned, so to ease your mind a bit, we are offering:

-30 day price guarantee

-Cancellations up to 48 hours prior to pick-up

-No hassle rescheduling

-Storage available throughout the US and Canada

-24/7 customer service

If your show is still scheduled to run, here are some tips to help ease Coronavirus pandemic fears:

*The following guidelines snippet are taken directly from the CDC and is intended for large events. 

Promote the daily practice of everyday preventative actions.

-Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.

-Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

-Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

-Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

-Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily.

Provide COVID-19 prevention supplies at your events. Plan to have extra supplies on hand for even staff and participants, including sinks with soap, hand sanitizers, tissues, and disposable facemasks (for persons who start having symptoms).

Note: Disposable facemasks should be kept on-site and used only if someone (worker or attendee) becomes sick. Those who become sick should be immediately isolated from staff and participants who are not sick and given a clean disposable facemask to wear.

Plan for staff absences. Develop flexible attendance and sick-leave policies. Identify critical job functions and positions and plan for alternative coverage by cross-training staff.

Promote messages that discourage people who are sick from attending events. This should include messages requesting that people leave events if they begin to have symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. They should seek medical advice promptly by calling ahead to a doctor’s office or emergency room to get guidance.

Planning is key. Before a Coronavirus outbreak occurs in your community, you need to plan. Depending on the severity, the outbreak could last for a long time. If you’d like to read further guidelines given by the CDC and specific to the COVID-19 virus related to large events, click here.

To stay up to date on all the latest and most accurate information regarding the COVID-19 virus, refer to the CDC’s website.

The Trade Show Must Go On!

Viruses are hitting hard this cold & flu season. Even though the sick season is among us, the trade show must go on!

Trade shows and conferences are great for meeting potential customers and in a setting like this you shake lots of hands. So what do you do if you happen to be exhibiting at or attending a trade show this season and you have the fear of sickness looming over you?

#1

washing hands in sink

Wash your hands thoroughly, and as much as possible. If you are unable to get to a sink, keep some hand sanitizer handy especially when you’re on the showroom floor. You never know when you may have to shake someone’s hand.

#2

vitamins on pink surface

Stock up on immune boosters. Vitamin C and Zinc are oldies but goodies. Take it before you head out for the initial immune boost and then throughout the duration of your trip. Adding elderberry to the mix is also a good option. It has been used for centuries and in more recent times has gained a lot of popularity and for good reason. Elderberry is believed to reduce the severity and duration of the cold and flu virus.

#3

female in bed with white bedding and holding glasses

Sleep. Between setup, clean-up schmoozing and post event parties, it might be hard to catch an adequate amount of zzz’s when you’re at an event, especially if the show lasts a few days. However, getting enough rest is crucial to keeping a strong immune system. A new study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, shows that people who sleep less than seven hours per night are three times more likely than those who sleep at least eight hours to catch a common cold after being exposed to a cold-causing virus.

#4

plastic water bottle

Stay hydrated. General good health practice includes drinking plenty of fluids. It helps you fend off germs and if you happen to already be sick, it helps loosen the mucous.

#5

draft beers on bar top

Limit alcohol consumption. Too much alcohol inhibits your sleep and dehydrates you, which goes against recommendations #3 and #4.

#6

empty gym

Get moving. Time can be limited when you’re traveling for trade shows, but squeezing in the time for a quick workout at your hotel gym can be well worth it. Exercise makes you feel good and gives your immune system a boost. If you’re already feeling a little under the weather, Lewis G. Maharam, MD, a New York City-based sports medicine expert suggests you “do what you can do, and if you can’t do it, then don’t.”

#7

bowl of fruit and nuts

Eat healthy. Everyone seems to know this one, but not everyone follows it. Eating healthy foods helps fight sickness. Sometimes traveling for business has us not making the best decisions when it comes to eating. We tend to eat what is convenient because of a lack of time and options. Plan ahead for your next trade show. Look up healthier restaurants beforehand and pack healthy snacks such as fruits and nuts so when the time comes to go out to dinner you’re able to make better food decisions because you’re not ravenous.

#8

cleaning rags and liquids

Sanitize common areas. If you’re an exhibitor, make sure to have sanitizing wipes handy. Wipe down surfaces regularly. This not only keeps germs from spreading, it will help keep your booth workers and visitors at ease.

Yes, the cold & flu season might be going strong, but don’t let that keep you from having a good trade show experience. Follow these precautions to help prevent the cold & flu from taking you down because the trade show must go on!