The industry is joining many others in cancelling large scale events in a bid to slow down the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among events cancelled is the Australasian Hospitality and Gaming Expo (AHG), which was scheduled to take place in Brisbane on 18-19 March.
The AHG board decided to cancel the Expo and all associated Expo-week events, including the Club Managers’ Association Australia’s AGM, the 2020 National Governance and Management Congress, the Club Plus Super AHG Breakfast and AHG Expo’s organised bus tours.
AHG Expo Event Manager Amy Coady said the cancellations were a precautionary measure in the interests of public safety.
“Our Prime Minister has this afternoon made a recommendation against non-essential organised gatherings of 500 people or more from Monday onwards, which has seen our board make the very hard decision to cancel next week’s planned events,” Coady said.
The AHG Expo board is working through any questions arising from exhibitors, event ticket holders and registered visitors around the cancellations and more information will be released as appropriate.
In addition the Indie Beer Showcase will not take place next week on March 20-21 .
Organisers said: “We haven’t taken this decision lightly. This is devastating news for the Good Beer Week Team, but we take the health and safety of our patrons, volunteers, and brewery staff very seriously.
“At this point, the Indie Beer Showcase will not be cancelled but postponed until further information is revealed by The Australian Government regarding developments surrounding the virus.
“We’re encouraging ticket purchasers to hold onto their tickets, until further notice, as the event will continue to take place at a more appropriate time.
“While the Indie Beer Showcase will take place at some point this year, we will provide refunds to ticket holders who seek it.”
The organisers of the Foodservice Australia trade exhibition scheduled for May in Sydney have announced that the event will be postponed to November.
Exhibition Director Tim Collett said: “Updated government advice and feedback from exhibitors has made this decision inevitable. The safety of exhibitor and visitors is the top priority and we believe this is the right decision given the circumstances.
“It is a very challenging time but I know we will get through this together and bounce back stronger. It will be the same show running in a new timeslot. The only difference is that it will be far better timed for the economic recovery.”
The show will now run from 8-10 November 2020 at the ICC Sydney.
Also in light of the Government’s advice on gatherings of more than 500 people, Craft Drinks Market organisers have made the decision to postpone its upcoming market that was due to be held at Entertainment Quarter (EQ) in Sydney on Sunday 22 March. All ticket holders will be will be fully refunded.