The board of the Australasian Hospitality and Gaming Expo (AHG Expo) has announced that this year’s event will be postponed until 2022.
Following an extensive consultation with key stakeholders, the Board decided that COVID-19 restrictions and border closures meant the risk profile for the event was too great.
AHG Expo CEO Kelly Egan said he had been especially keen to see AHG Expo 2021 go ahead as a way to help bring the industry together in a positive and uplifting way, especially on the back of what 2020 handed out.
“Our key partners in this event have all been vigilant and working as diligently as possible to ensure the AHG Expo could proceed in 2021,” he said. “Unfortunately, the volatility of the situation we face makes the risk too great for us all.
“We have made this decision in collaboration with key stakeholders’ best interests in mind – from both a health and a commercial perspective. In in the interest of timing we had to make it now.”
The Board said it recognised the considerable financial and resourcing costs of attending an event like the AHG Expo and postponing the event now would help to minimise any further negative impacts should there be a forced closure nearer the event date.
The Board added that the health and safety of all visitors, exhibitors and staff is paramount to the AHG Expo and so this was the only responsible outcome given the current circumstances.
The AHG Expo is set to return in 2022 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.
AHG Expo CEO Kelly Egan said he had been especially keen to see AHG Expo 2021 go ahead as a way to help bring the industry together in a positive and uplifting way, especially on the back of what 2020 handed out.
“Our key partners in this event have all been vigilant and working as diligently as possible to ensure the AHG Expo could proceed in 2021,” he said. “Unfortunately, the volatility of the situation we face makes the risk too great for us all.
“We have made this decision in collaboration with key stakeholders’ best interests in mind – from both a health and a commercial perspective. In in the interest of timing we had to make it now.”
The Board said it recognised the considerable financial and resourcing costs of attending an event like the AHG Expo and postponing the event now would help to minimise any further negative impacts should there be a forced closure nearer the event date.
The Board added that the health and safety of all visitors, exhibitors and staff is paramount to the AHG Expo and so this was the only responsible outcome given the current circumstances.
Paul Carew, Chief Operating Officer – MAX Gaming Services, AHG Expo major sponsor, said: “We remain committed to our ongoing partnership and look forward to a successful return of the event in 2022.
“Whilst we are disappointed to see an important event like the AHG Expo cancelled, we acknowledge the continued health and safety risk posed by COVID.”
The AHG Expo is set to return in 2022 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Story by Andy Young, visit www.theshout.com.au for more Australian liquor news.
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