The growing fight against the spread of coronavirus has claimed the 2020 Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide boat shows, with organisers formally abandoning the events for this year.
The Boating Industry Association of Australia has formally announced that it decided last week that the 2020 Sydney International Boat Show, the 2020 Adelaide International Boat Show and the trailer boat-focussed 2020 Brisbane Boat Show would not go ahead as planned.
The BIA board made the decision in the wake of even stricter controls on public events imposed by the Federal Government to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
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“The progress of the spread of the virus over the last seven days has seen the forecasts change and based on the feedback from members and in the interests of certainty the board has resolved to cancel the Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide Boat Shows for 2020,” it said.
“Exhibitors will be offered a refund of any deposits held by the BIA.”
The BIA said it would now focus its efforts on supporting and protecting member prosperity, including keeping marinas open, analysing government support packages, encouraging people to use boats while maintaining social distancing, and rolling out a digital campaign to promote boating.
“We know that our membership is doing it very tough with this health crisis coming on the top of a difficult summer and we are applying all of our energy into limiting the restrictions on our industry while maximising the available government support,” it said.
“We need to come together, support each other, follow the government directives and look after the most vulnerable in our industry and our community.”
The separately organised 2020 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is looking for a new date in October on which to hold the event, while September's 2020 Perth International Boat Show will still go ahead at this point.
The Boating Industry Association of Victoria, which is organising the 2020 Melbourne International Boat Show, is yet to make a formal announcement about its event scheduled for mid-June.