“I can understand these people's frustration very well, those people are very professional, I am sure that they can organize large events very professionally and safely. Often safer than small events that are organized ad hoc ”Prof Marc Van Ranst - Vrt Journaal 1 pm Wednesday 15 July 2020. Dear Professor Van Ranst, Thank you for the words of praise for our sector. Dear Professors, Ladies and Gentlemen Ministers You cannot imagine the impact your decision will have on the 80,000 people in our sector. After more than 120 days without perspective, the anxiety turns into desperation, that is the step for anger. That anger would be justified even now. We see our precious event sector sacrificed in function of other sectors. People are allowed to travel back at the request of the tourism sector, but we as the event sector are victims of this decision. We cannot accept this. We check the visitors of our events at the entrance, and not at the exit! Wouldn't it be more logical to check travelers entering Belgium instead of those leaving. Or just forbid people to leave, that prevents the import of the virus and increases the tourism income for our country. We will soon have to watch with sorrow how a multitude of people in the shopping streets will mingle on 'bargain hunting'. And afterwards you will lock us up even more as an event sector because of 'the increased figures'. Shops, shopping centers and airports have less efficient crowd control, zoning, time slots than our events. We do not have to analyze other sectors, but in our sector we can inform you that safety, crowd control and anticipation are second nature. Safety is central in our sector and in our training. Then why do you distrust our sector? Because one man in Puurs has behaved outright scandalous? Dear Doctors, As a doctor, you also have a responsibility for the economic well-being of your 'patients'. A patient who asks you 'when will I be able or allowed to go back to work' does not need a medical answer but a perspective, an honest answer, a mental and realistic boost. With 80,000 men and women, 3,000 companies, we are your 'patients', so big but also concrete is your 'power'. You can hardly blame us, after 120 days almost the entire Belgian industry, retail, schools, catering and others has been restarted. We ask again - with urge and respect - a physical live meeting, with face masks and with our people around the table, on location, date and time of your choice. But with sufficient time to discuss all questions from our sector structurally and pragmatically. Questions about tomorrow, about the summer, but also for September / October / November / December and 2021. Let us thoroughly discuss all scenarios immediately. Our job is planning and organizing, let us immediately discuss the scenarios for 2021. Dear Politicians, Belgium can make good use of our more than 80,000 manpower, our sector was very healthy, profitable and dynamic. World players who often give you a stage. Trade fairs and conferences for this autumn will be moved to cities such as Breda and Lille, simply because the government in those countries has structural insight into the interests of this sector. Belgians will soon be flocking to concerts abroad. Even the Belgian companies in our sector will be able to start working abroad more quickly than in their 'Homeland'. The cabinets have helped us excellently in recent weeks. The files are on the table. The CERM model works and can be adapted. More than 14,000 simulations in less than 2 weeks were done by the industry. We can only move forward with trust and respect. With insight and consultation. With good agreements. Self-regulating. Politicians you should now commit to our sectors. Dear Virologists, You must be terribly tired after this gigantic - and complex - assignment for the welfare of our country, we respect this. We want to get out of this while working. As a sector, we will put very concrete questions to the table. We are preparing this paper. Realistic, ambitious but also responsible. We look forward to a date and time of appointment. Kind regards, Sincere thanks, Bruno Schaubroeck Spokesperson Alliance Belgian Event Federations
