MARIETTA, Georgia — The Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) is not only condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. On March 7, it announced that SISO is immediately suspending Russian members from its events and activities.
“We have all watched with horror as the conflict in Ukraine escalates, with reports of explosions in populated areas,” said Hervé Sedky, SISO Board Chair and Emerald CEO. “We cannot stand by and watch this conflict unfold without taking action. We have decided to suspend the participation of Russian members in our events.”
Calling the invasion of Ukraine “a tragic, senseless and unprovoked attack by Russia on the Ukrainian people (that) must be condemned by all,” SISO CEO David Audrain said SISO is also launching a fundraising campaign and contributing to ongoing humanitarian efforts. SISO will fund the campaign, which will support the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), with an initial sum of $10,000.
Those interested in supporting fundraising efforts should contact info@SISO.org.
Trade shows are also taking steps to show their support for Ukraine during the Russian invasion. In addition to Frankfurt’s IMEX announcing it would suspend Russian state-owned companies from its 2022 show in Germany this spring, the GSMA, which produces Mobile World Congress, announced it was banning some Russian exhibitors from its show floor and would not host a Russian pavilion at its show. MWC drew more than 60,000 attendees to this year’s hybrid event in Barcelona in early March.
The Germany-based International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) went even further. On February 26, it announced that it was canceling its July 2022 in-person event in St. Petersburg and would hold it entirely online. ICM organizers said of the decision that “recent developments in Russia and Ukraine have radically changed the situation” and make it “impossible for the IMU to host the ICM and the General Assembly as traditional in-person events in Russia.”
Explanation of the decision to exclude Russian companies from the IMEX trade fair in Frankfurt
Other industry organizations unite to support Ukraine
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) has also taken steps to show its condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In a statement released earlier this month, it condemned the “aggressive acts of Russian forces and called for a swift end to the invasion.”
“As a sign of support for the Ukrainian people, MPI will immediately suspend its activities with all companies in Russia. In addition, any plans to formalize a branch in Russia will be suspended.”
“We remain concerned for the well-being of our community and our MPI members in Russia and Ukraine who were already seeking to emerge from the shadow of this pandemic and are now experiencing these unprecedented challenges,” the MPI statement said.
The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and the meetings industry’s umbrella organization, the Events Industry Council (EIC), also issued statements condemning Russia’s invasion and expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian people, but stopped short of taking action.
The PCMA statement said: “We stand united against war and acts of evil against innocent civilians. We stand with those who believe in and live in a peaceful society. Our prayers are with all those who grieve and we hope that peace will soon prevail.” ICCA President James Rees said: “We call on governments on all sides to do everything possible to end hostilities and come together to negotiate a peaceful resolution to this conflict.” » The EIC statement reflected a similar position, stating: “The military invasion of Ukraine is in direct conflict with the values that all of us who serve the Events Industry Council and our global community passionately believe in, and we strongly oppose any form of violence and oppression that negatively impacts the safety of those who work in the events industry in Ukraine, their families, their colleagues, and all Ukrainians… We stand firmly with Ukraine and urge all parties to work toward a peaceful resolution.”
Reception venues and hospitality companies are mobilizing
Messe Frankfurt, one of Europe’s leading trade fair organisers, has taken a tougher stance, following in the footsteps of SISO and MPI. It has suspended its operations in Russia, including those of its subsidiary, Messe Dusseldorf Moscow, until further notice.
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The company said in a statement: “Our company creates neutral communication and trade platforms at the international level, where people from all nations come together. Our corporate principles uphold peaceful coexistence and like-minded trade relations, as this is a prerequisite for the smooth functioning of the international economy and good international coexistence as a whole.”
Industries close to trade shows, including hospitality, are also showing their support for Ukraine by suspending operations in Russia. Major hotel companies including Hilton, Hyatt and Accor have joined Apple, Exxon Mobile, American Express and McDonald’s in this action, with Hilton and Hyatt freezing new hotels and investments in Russia. IHG has also closed its Moscow headquarters and halted new hotel openings in the country, as has Marriott. (The New York Times has an updated list of companies pulling out of Russia here.)
Contact Hervé Sedky at herve.sedky@emeraldx.com; contact David Audrain at (404) 334-4585 or david@SISO.org