HAI Will Be Implementing Additional Health And Safety Measures For This Year’S Show

With other aero-events falling to the wayside (as well as a few rumored to be in the chopping block) and others pushing their events farther into 2021 -- or 2022 -- HAI seems intent on pulling off a safe, healthy Heli-Expo...

HAI Heli-Expo 2021 is just four months away, and the HAI staff reports that they are deep into preparations to ensure attendees and exhibitors have a safe, healthy, and successful show.

The world’s largest helicopter-oriented event, HAI Heli-Expo 2021 will be held Mar. 22–25 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. The exhibit hall will be open Mar. 23–25.

“Nearly every person I speak with is looking forward to our show next year,” says James Viola, president and CEO of HAI. “We're all tiring of virtual events and online meetings, and there is pent-up demand for our industry to meet in person. Right now, over 350 companies have committed to doing just that, and will be exhibiting in New Orleans.”

HAI will be implementing additional health and safety measures for this year’s show. “Our staff is working very closely with everyone involved in producing the show in New Orleans to ensure HAI HELI-EXPO will meet all the required safety protocols ,” says Viola. “Whether it’s the convention center, the housing group and hotels, or the City of New Orleans and local businesses, we are working together to provide a safe environment for all Expo exhibitors and attendees.

“Pilots should always use a flight risk assessment tool (FRAT) to assist them in assessing the hazards of a flight and then mitigating those identified risks to increase  their level of safety,” continues Viola. “We essentially are doing the same thing for the show. We are continually assessing all the risks and potential hazards, and we believe we can mitigate those hazards to conduct a safe event.”

To ensure the health and welfare of show attendees and exhibitors, HAI is implementing the following protocols:

• Socially distanced show floor, meeting rooms, registration areas, and public spaces
• Extra time built into the event schedule for thorough, repetitive cleaning
• Additional mobile badge-printing stations to limit touch points
• Highly visible hand-sanitizer stations throughout common areas and the show floor
• Safety kit, including mask and hand sanitizer, provided for all attendees
• Masks required for entrance to the convention center
• Temperature checks at convention center entrances.

“Between these measures and other international developments on the horizon, I am very confident we can do this together and look forward to seeing everyone, while possibly still six feet away, at the show in March 2021,” says Viola. “In the meantime, keep an eye on the HAI Heli-Expo 2021 Health and Safety page for regular updates on all that HAI, the City of New Orleans, and local businesses are doing to keep you safe during your stay.”

FMI: www.rotor.org