Barcelona ICC has September opening in its sights

The Barcelona International Convention Centre (CCIB) management team is targeting a September reopening for its 100,000sqm convention facility. The CCIB says it is developing strict protocols to guarantee social distancing measures and ensure maximum safety of the events, visitors and employees. GL events manages 50 venues worldwide and has already reopened some of its centres in China. Lockdown is due to end in Spain by July and industry professionals expect international flights will return by then, too, as the country enters a ‘new normal’. CCIB says it will maintain hygiene and safety measures and use new technologies to adapt to hybrid event models. Among new measures and protocols the management team has drawn up there will be: New plans for cleaning and disinfecting rooms; reinforcement and incorporation of new ventilation and air filtration systems; new systems for air purification and sterilisation of spaces. CCIB is also working on new systems for monitoring the flow of visitors; temperature measurement; limitation of people in confined spaces and reorganisation of conference rooms and waiting and rest areas. There will also be use of masks; hydroalcoholic gel; shoe cleaning mats; cleaning systems for contact areas (escalators, elevators, etc.) and cleaning reinforcement in all areas and toilets. Adaptation of the gastronomic offer is also promised, although CCIB kitchens already have the highest ISO 22000:2018 Food Safety certification. During the pandemic CCIB has been using its 3,300sqm of kitchens to cook 5,000 meals per day for the most vulnerable in the Barcelona area. CCIB is expecting a busy final quarter and reports a large part of its events being rearranged at the end of the year.