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COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on domestic and international travel, throwing conferences and industry conventions around the world out of order, now we have an answer for Australia's own Land Forces 2020.
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Ian Honnery, chief executive of AMDA Foundation, has issued a letter to all industry partners and exhibitors for the 2020 Land Forces expo, scheduled to be held in Brisbane in early-September, deferring the event until 1-3 June 2021.
"Throughout the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, AMDA Foundation Limited has monitored the evolving situation and its potential effects on the Land Forces event scheduled for 1-3 September. After extensive consultation and review, it has become clear that, because of the impacts of COVID-19, Land Forces will be unable to proceed in September this year as initially intended.
"As a result, we have taken the decision to defer Land Forces and have identified proposed new dates from 1 to 3 June 2021 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre," Honnery said.
Mr Honnery moved to reassure exhibitors, participants and industry partners that despite the disruption caused by COVID-19, the event will still continue into the future, stating: "We believe this deferral will provide greater certainty for all involved with Land Forces.
"Crucially, it will allow our exhibitors, participants and stakeholders to focus on managing through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, knowing that a deferred Land Forces will have greater probability of proceeding and, therefore, of serving as a powerful promotional and industry engagement forum on the way to business recovery.
"It is our aim that Land Forces should proceed as soon as practicable and, at this stage, mid-2021 is considered the earliest realistic timing that optimises certainty. However, we cannot know what future course the COVID-19 pandemic will take in the months ahead. So, we will continue to monitor developments closely and, as a responsible organisation, we will undertake by December this year a further comprehensive review to clarify the ongoing situation in the aftermath of the immediate impacts of the pandemic.
"By then, the world will be in a far better position to see the way forward with confidence."
Honnery added, "If the forward prospects at that stage remain problematic for industry, stakeholders and partners, then, in order to maximise advance notice for exhibitors and participants, a decision may be taken to delay the next Land Forces until the following year in resumption of its regular biennial cycle. We will, of course, immediately advise you of any developments."
More to come.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
