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The APPMA Board is postponing AUSPACK 2021, which was scheduled to take place in Sydney. It is re-scheduled to take place in Melbourne in May 2022.

Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association (APPMA) chairman Mark Dingley said the most important factors in the decision to postpone were the uncertainty around protecting the health and safety of the industry community and preserving the experience and value that exhibitors and visitors receive from attending events such as AUSPACK.

“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,” Dingley said.

The next AUSPACK will beheld in Melbourne from 17-20 May 2022

“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.

“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,” Dingley said.

“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. It surpassed all expectations. 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.”

Mr 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.

In this week's PKN Podcast, managing editor and publisher Lindy Hughson and Dingley discuss the impact of Covid on AUSPACK and other packaging exhibitions.

Conference and awards

Dingley said 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,” Dingley said.

“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 is exploring Packaging and Processing Week events with the intention to run them in 2021. The board said it is important to connect as a community and that visitors will be able to receive great value from these activities. Dates and further information will be announced at a later date.

For more information, go to the AUSPACK website.

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