Eleven ANZ companies were set to receive WorldStar awards for packaging innovation at a gala ceremony during interpack. In line with other coronavirus-related moves, the World Packaging Organisation has cancelled the event.
Following the announcement that Messe Düsseldorf has postponed interpack, the global packaging and processing trade show, to 25 February to 3 March 2021, the World Packaging Organisation (WPO) has taken the decision to cancel the WorldStar ceremony.
“All winners, including the Special Awards categories, will receive their trophies and certificates by mail, commencing at the end of April. We will have a special celebration for winners on 26 February 2021 (Friday), during interpack 2021,” said WPO president Pierre Pienaar.
(Read more about Australian and New Zealand companies up for awards here and ANZ special awards winners here).
According to Pienaar, the decision follows the recommendation of the crisis management teams all over the world, taking into consideration the risk of spreading the coronavirus at major events.
“Delaying and/or reducing the spread of the virus, as much as possible, is a global goal and WPO will do all to help the cause,” said Pienaar.
Another important measure taken by WPO, is to postpone all the packaging education programs confirmed for the first half of this year. All will be rescheduled and announced at a later stage. The first WPO board meeting of 2020, originally scheduled during interpack 2020, has been cancelled.
