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The ongoing fight against the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the cancellation of one of Australia’s largest defence industry trade shows.
AMDA Foundation has confirmed that due to the speed of the Delta variant of COVID-19, it has cancelled AVALON 2021, initially scheduled for the back-end of the year.
This follows repeated postponements of the event amid uncertainty over venue and travel conditions.
“Delivering such a highly complex, hallmark event in these challenging circumstances would involve risks of uncertainty for attendees, participants, industry and the Australian public,” AMDA noted in a statement.
“Therefore, in order to minimise uncertainty and disruption to attendees and participants, the difficult decision has been taken now that AVALON 2021 will not go ahead. It is deeply disappointing for the AMDA Foundation team, our stakeholders, exhibitors, participants and patrons that this signature industry trade show and public entertainment spectacular will not proceed.
"But public health and safety must be paramount and responsible levels of certainty must be achieved for all involved in or attending such a complex and multi-faceted major event."
The biennial Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition serves as a key platform for the promotion of civil and defence aviation.
The event is typically attended by major stakeholders from across the globe, with the backing of the Royal Australian Air Force and the Victorian government.
AMDA Foundation will now turn its attention to AVALON 2023, set to be held from 28 February to 5 March 2023.
“With the expected transition to post-COVID normalcy, AVALON 2023 will return to international prominence as one of the world’s great air shows,” AMDA added.
“Showcasing the colour, spectacle and excitement of aviation, and the industrial and technological potential of aerospace, defence and space as national strategic capabilities, AVALON 2023 will again take Australia to the world by bringing the world to Australia.”
Charbel Kadib
News Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media
Prior to joining the defence and aerospace team in 2020, Charbel was news editor of The Adviser and Mortgage Business, where he covered developments in the banking and financial services sector for three years. Charbel has a keen interest in geopolitics and international relations, graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a double major in politics and journalism. Charbel has also completed internships with The Australian Department of Communications and the Arts and public relations agency Fifty Acres.
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