RIMINI – As is customary, participants arrived from all over Italy, as well as some from abroad. They were all certainly very happy to finally be able to meet up in person. The Grand Lodge 2020 meeting of the Grand Orient of Italy, held from 11-13 September at IEG’s Palacongressi di Rimini was proof that it could be done: getting back to “normal” for in-person conferences and events, respecting the Covid19 safety measures and precautions, which have by now become daily practice in our lives.
The event that took place, for the 20th consecutive year at the Palacongressi in Rimini, was in complete attendance without having to resort to hybrid formulas, and recorded numbers not very far off past years - about 1,500 participants – and was organised without significant changes to the usual format. The Sala della Piazza was set up as per usual to host the Temple of the Grand Lodge, with a rich programme of conferences, and cultural events such as exhibitions and book presentations. The traditional socialising lunches and dinners were also confirmed.
Italian Exhibition Group, with the fundamental collaboration of its catering partner Summertrade, confirmed its signature professionalism and experience when faced with even the most complex challenges, responding to customer needs and requests. The location of the Palacongressi, with its flexibility, large open spaces and advanced technological equipment, guaranteed immediate answers, which would not have been possible elsewhere.
"The synergy between our structure and the GOI - explains Director of the IEG Event & Conference division, Fabio De Santis - in applying all the association rules and institutional protocols on Covid19, was fundamental and guaranteed an event in total safety, demonstrating with facts and figures that conferences and events can be held in the presence of more than a thousand people, without mass gatherings".