In Amsterdam without hesitation.
Last few days just before METS (Amsterdam, November 16th-18th) were quite chaotic and a bit stressful.
The number of Covid infections in the Netherlands rose in a worrying way, between 15 and 20 thousand a day; so bad that the evening of Friday 12 November Dutch Prime Minister announced a light “lockdown” of three weeks, with early closures for bars and restaurants.
During those days, many of the exhibiting companies were already setting up their stands inside the RAI pavilions, in view of the opening of a highly anticipated show, after its cancellation in 2020.
METS is the reference for the world of nautical accessories a global level, a B2B fair attracting thousands of visitors from all over the world.
A few minutes after the announcement of the lockdown organizers confirmed the 2021 edition of METS, being an event reserved to professionals only, all previously registered and equipped with a Covid green pass.
Basically, a low risk bubble in which the public was not allowed.
Companies had a difficult choice to make.
Was it worth going anyway to Amsterdam in a complex situation, especially outside the fair, or better decide to give up at the very last minute, moreover losing the investment already made? Both positions had pros and cons and were respectable when done conscientiously.
Guidi’s decision was quick: confirming his presence in Amsterdam, with the necessary precautions.
METS is in fact the only opportunity for direct meeting with many customers, distributors and professionals, especially foreign ones, and giving up seeing them would have meant lack of a basic element for the company’s commercial strategies. You can’t do everything online!
In the end, the choice was rewarding. Despite several holes due to the last-minute cancellations of various exhibitors who left their stands empty, the fair was successful, in safe conditions and with an excellent quality level of contacts.
And never mind if the lockdown forced everyone to have dinner at 6.30pm for four days in a row!
