Tradeshow organizers get serious about swine flu

A tradeshow/conference on the topics of defense and security is the perfect place to showcase the necessary precautions to fight H1N1 swine flu, and it's no surprise that you'd see great precautions taken in Asia -- especially after many nations had to control and prevent the spread of avian influenza (bird flu) only recently. We received the following notification about screening visitors to IMDEX Asia 2009 -- a tradeshow focused on international maritime defense and security coming up May 12-14 in Singapore -- and I think what they're doing is quite robust and could be a potential plan of action that could be adopted by other event organizers in their own preparedness plan.

To ensure the safety and well-being of all visitors, the Organisers of IMDEX Asia 2009 will be implementing the following precautionary measures:

a) Temperature Screening -- Temperature screening points will be set up at the entrances to the Singapore Expo, Changi Naval Base and at venues of all its associated events including IMDEX/IMSC/WMSX/MARISX.
b) Health and Travel Declaration -- All exhibitors and visitors to IMDEX Asia 2009 will be subject to a one-time health and travel declaration. Exhibitors and visitors are required to complete a Health Declaration Form (click here to download). Please submit your forms at the Registration Counter, Foyer 1.
c) Onsite Medical Team and Isolation Rooms (Foyer 1) -- Onsite medical teams and isolation rooms will also be available. Participants with fever or exhibiting flu-like symptoms could be examined by medical personnel. Participants who are not exhibiting symptoms but feel unwell can likewise request for medical assistance.

IMDEX Asia 2009 reserves the right not to admit visitors who exhibit the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Breathlessness

All possible precautionary measures have been taken by the Singapore government to ensure the safety of all personnel in Singapore. The IMDEX Asia 2009 Organiser is closely monitoring the situation and the appropriate precautionary measures deemed necessary will be implemented at the event.

It's sound judgement, but probably a little too overzealous for most U.S.-based tradeshows -- unless the swine flu becomes more widespread and starts to truly involve into a pandemic.

-Geoff