The Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association (APPMA) Board has announced that it will be postponing its AUSPACK 2021 event in Sydney, and re-schedule it for Melbourne 2022.
APPMA chairman, Mark Dingley, said: “This exhibition is known for the depth of products and services on the show floor, and the unique networking opportunities available from the many events held around the show. With the continuing uncertainty around domestic state-border openings, and the very likely reality that international flights will not be allowed until the second half of 2021, we felt we could not deliver this experience to the same high standards as previously. Moving the event to 2022 was, therefore, the right thing to do from the perspective of human health and the financial and marketing value that exhibiting businesses would receive.”
Dingley said the APPMA Board "did not want to add to the congestion created by other commercially focused exhibitions moving dates from 2020 to mid-2021".
He added: “It’s not really ideal for the industry to have a slew of shows held so closely together, and we believe the value to exhibitors and visitors will be vastly reduced. As an industry-based association, the APPMA believes moving AUSPACK to a later ‘quieter’ date provides the best outcome for industry, including the best financial ROI for exhibitors and visitors.”
Jon Perry, event director with organiser Exhibitions & Trade Fairs, said: “The last edition of AUSPACK, in 2019 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, was a record show. Melbourne 2022 is ideally placed to provide the scale and breadth of event that this industry needs as it gears up for the post-Covid recovery.”
Perry said exhibitor bookings for 2022 will be managed in a phased approach, focusing firstly on exhibitors who are currently booked into 2021 and those who regularly exhibit in Melbourne. He said exhibitors will be contacted directly by 17 November about their options, while new bookings for the 2022 show will be open in late January 2021.
Dingley added: “The APPMA introduced the Business and Industry Conference as part of Packaging and Processing Week 2019 and it was very well received. The conference provided an excellent platform for the packaging industry to drive collaboration and conversation on key issues facing the sector.
“At AUSPACK 2019, the APPMA reinstated its Awards of Excellence as a high-value way to seek out and recognise industry innovation and outstanding performers. This is the only dedicated processing and packaging machinery awards program of its type in Australasia, and recognises those who make a significant difference in the industry.
"The APPMA Board are currently exploring Packaging and Processing Week events with the intention to run them in 2021, as we believe it is important to connect as a community and that visitors will be able to receive great value from these activities. We will be in a position to announce dates and further information later."