Events are back and our industry is recovering but COVID is still rampant.
In this week’s Coronacast Dr Norman Swan pointed out that Australia has now recorded over 5,000 COVID related deaths this year.
“That’s 5,000 deaths in just a little bit over four months. In an average flu season, which is, again, four or five months, we would have 1,000 deaths, so that’s five times more deaths so far this year than an average flu season, and Covid really doesn’t have a season, although we could get worse in winter, so that’s going to continue. It’s not showing any signs of relenting. “
So 5,000 deaths so far this year is more than double the 2,226 deaths reported up to 31st December 2021 and yet were are mostly maskless when attending events and there are no social distancing mandates. Looking at photos from recent outdoor events such as Bluesfest and Groovin the Moo I can see no masks being worn and there were not many at the National Folk Festival either (mostly work by older attendees). However on Q and A last night the whole audience were masked (except when asking a question). I’m heading the SOH tonight where masks are also required.
The thinking has got to be that outdoor events are fine as are well ventilated indoor venues; however, in order to run at 100% capacity theatres and other indoor events where the audience remain seated are still requiring masks. I would tend to be wary of packed indoor venues such as nightclubs; however they are frequented by the younger generation who are bulletproof (or at least they think they are).
To this week’s news.
The results are in from AIME.
AIME 2022 stimulates $120M in business events to drive economic recovery
New industry research has revealed that buyers placed/expect to place $120M in business as a result of their attendance at AIME 2022. This is a 20 per cent increase on 2020 (pre-Covid).
News from the host venue for AIME
Peter King, Chief Executive of Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), has announced that he will leave his role after eleven years.
This week we explore the softer side of Gary FitzRoy who, last weekend, launched the Robertson Potato Festival
Why would you start a Potato Festival?
Hessians on the Field, a Spud-a-Dome, potato peeling competition, more hot chips than you can eat, all wrangled by the Spud Squad enduring wild weather one day and a perfect day the next. Welcome to the inaugural Robertson Potato Festival.
And remember Gary’s story about Agility leaving the Australian event freight forwarding market?
Well, Agility issued a statement to the industry this week acknowledging that “At the end of May 2022, all Fairs and Events activities within Australia will cease, scaling down of operations has already commenced.
The pandemic took a massive toll on the exhibition and events industry, impacting the company’s Fairs and Events operations globally. Accordingly, the difficult decision has been made to withdraw from events-related activities within Australia for the time being.”
Stay safe.
Comment on this article