As vaccination rollout continues and confidence begins to return, governments in Europe are starting to relax COVID-19 restrictions. Already, signs are showing that the event industry is inching back to the traditional in-person events that were the norm before the pandemic moved everything online.
Last week, the Swiss government started allowing mass events and officially lifted the work-from-home rule. Starting June 26, events of over 10,000 people have been allowed, provided attendees can prove they are vaccinated, have recovered from, or have tested negative for COVID-19.
The mandatory work-from-home rule has also been listed and the wearing of hygiene marks outdoors is no longer required. Travel restrictions such as quarantine requirements, have also been dropped for people from the 26 single-border European Schengen countries, and tests are only necessary for those arriving by plane.
Switzerland is working with the European Union on mutual recognition of COVID-19 certificates, with an agreement likely next month, a Swiss government lawyer told Reuters last week.
Switzerland’s Federal Council eases measures against the coronavirus
Similarly, starting June 30, the Netherlands will be allowing in-person events regardless of size and without face marks, though attendees will be required to show that they are either vaccinated or provide a valid COVID-19 test.
Earlier this month, France entered its third and penultimate phase of easing COVID-19 restrictions, and introduced the new health pass. The health pass provides proof that an individual aged 11 and up are fully vaccinated, or tested negative with a recent COVID-19 PCR test, allowing them access to gatherings of more than 1,000 people, including sporting events, cultural venues and trade shows.
Germany will be easing up restrictions on July 01, including ending the compulsory work-from-home rule. Germany will also be launching a digital “travel pass,” allowing citizens to prove that they are fully vaccinated and travel anywhere within the European Union (EU) or Schengen zone without needing to follow certain health measures, such as quarantining or testing.
Meanwhile, UK prime minister Boris Johnson has said people in England were “very likely” to be able to return to “pretty much life before COVID-19” on July 19.
Across the continent, trade show and event organizers are jumping on the opportunity, rapidly setting up events to provide professionals and businesses with the opportunity to finally get to connect in-person. Here we’ve listed three must-attend fintech events being held in the coming months as physical gatherings.
Swiss Fintech Fair 2021
September 08, 2021
Zurich, Switzerland
The Swiss Fintech Fair is returning in September 2021 as the first major get-together of the overall Swiss fintech community after a very long period of online events.
The invitation-only event, a major annual event within the Swiss fintech community, is expected to bring together the leading 500 who matter in fintech and finance, including those representing top fintech startups, scale-ups and providers, as well a C-Levels, decision makers, innovation officers and board members of leading Swiss and European banks, insurers and financial institutions.
Money 20/20 Europe
September 21 – 23, 2021
Amsterdam
Money20/20 is the premier show on the payment and fintech industry’s calendar where C-level executives, renowned speakers, innovators and disruptors from across the world drive change in the future of money.
Taking place in Amsterdam, Money20/20 Europe 2021 will offer three remarkable days of the right conversations, the right connections and the right discoveries which enable individuals and organizations of all sizes to achieve their goals and grow.
More information here.
Web Summit 2021
November 01 – 04, 2021
Altice Arena, Lisbon, Portugal
Web Summit is an annual technology conference held in Lisbon, Portugal, considered the largest tech event in the world. The conference’s topics center on Internet technology, emerging technologies, and venture capitalism. Web Summit partners range from Fortune 500 companies to startups, with attendees representing all levels and sectors of the global high technology industry.
This year, Web Summit is coming back as a physical event, promising some 1,200 speakers and over 2,600 journalists.
Featured image credit: Unsplash
