In light of the evolving and increasingly fluid Covid lockdown situation in Sydney and other major cities around the country, the 2021 APPMA Business & Industry Conference has been reframed as a digital lunchtime series kicking off in September.
After due consideration, the APPMA Board and conference organiser Nectar Creative Communications have determined that the 2021 APPMA Business & Industry Conference, scheduled to take place in Sydney in September, will not be able to proceed safely with in-person attendees.
While the event was structured to enable both in-person and virtual participation, the option of transitioning to a fully virtual event was deemed unacceptable as both APPMA and Nectar believe it would compromise the experience and value that speakers, sponsors and attendees expect from the event and the APPMA as an industry association.
The decision has instead been taken to reformat and present, as a digital series, the keynote and panel sessions planned for the conference.
“Covid might have put a stop to certain events and activities, but the demand for educational and inspirational content has not reduced. The APPMA considers it vital to pivot and adapt to the Covid challenges to continue delivering information, education and industry engagement, especially during these tough times,” says APPMA CEO Michael Moran.
“The keynote and panel sessions feature a mix of high-profile industry experts and international thought leaders covering a range of topics essential for the ongoing development, growth and protection of the manufacturing sector in Australia. The key messages and take-aways from these sessions are too important and urgent to defer until 2022,” Moran says.
To this end, the APPMA is launching the Investing in Resilience: Digital Lunchtime Series, which will kick off on Friday 17 September, providing a platform for topics such as:
- The challenges and recovery opportunities facing the manufacturing sector;
- Practical tools required to help navigate and protect your business from cyber threats;
- Innovations and opportunities associated with Industry 4.0; and
- Securing a sustainable and resilient future.
Other content originally planned for the conference, such as the Case Studies and Technical Presentations, will be deferred for presentation in May 2022, where they can be incorporated into the AUSPACK and Packaging and Processing Week events and activities, and where the necessary in-person interaction and engagement can once again be included.
Look out for a more detailed announcement on the Investing in Resilience: Digital Lunchtime Series in the coming week. This series will be free for all participants. Save the dates: 17 September, 23 September and 1 October.
