Australia’s biggest summer sporting event has been getting plenty of coverage this week thanks to Novak. Meanwhile the Sydney Festival has been targeted by political activists.

Unfortunately these activists have taken aim at individual performers rather than government or funding bodies. Now I’m not taking sides on the issue but seriously, haven’t the artists suffered enough with their livelihood snatched from them over the past two years. Why pick on them?

The other unfolding story is on the cancellation of music festivals in NSW because of a ban on dancing – which apparently doesn’t apply to churches.  

The cancellations and postponements continue

The Art of Attraction Tourism Summit

Conference Director Liz Rivers said the decision had not been taken lightly. “This is heartbreaking – so much work, time and money goes into planning a national event of the size, format and complexity of the Art of Attraction Tourism Summit.”

The PCOA conference was due this month

This decision has been made based on the current COVID situation in most Australian states. With increasing case numbers, concern from key stakeholders about the safety and wellbeing of attendees,  continued uncertainty around travel and potential isolation, and the threat to members’ businesses and their future work.  The PCOA Council agreed that it was the responsible decision to make at this time. 

The PCOA annual conference will be held at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart, Tasmania from 11-13 December 2022; at which time, we hope that there will be no barriers to safely attending the conference; and reconnecting with our colleagues within the industry.

AIME however is pressing on and has confirmed that most of Australia’s Convention Bureaux will be exhibiting

Doug MacColl looks at What can Events and Exhibitions learn from other sectors about dealing with COVID?

Victoria is the only state to introduce COVID event insurance and Gary Fitz-Roy asks is it a Band Aid or cure?

For Sydneysiders – Last night I attended the opening night of Darlinghurst Theatre Company’s production of A Chorus Line.  The issues confronting performers in 1975 are just as relevant today and the joyous finale is just the uplift we need at the moment.  Congratulations to the team for their perseverance, this production has been two years in the making due to so many postponements. See it at Riverside Parramatta this week or next or at its transfer to the SOH next month.