Defence showcase Land Forces 2020 expo cancelled
The centrepiece exhibition showcasing defence equipment, technology and services for the region’s armies, has been cancelled.
The centrepiece exhibition showcasing defence equipment, technology and services for the region’s armies, has been cancelled as a result of COVID-19 travel restrictions.
The Land Forces 2020 expo, due to be held in September in Queensland, has been deferred until 2021, the organiser said on Tuesday.
The biennial Land Forces expo is a major event for defence contractors and the region’s armies.
Its cancellation represents a blow to the Queensland economy.
The expo brings in military officials and defence contractors from all over the world.
The 2018 Land Forces conference in Adelaide broke attendance records, attracting more that 15,000 visitors.
It featured 624 companies, more than half of whom were small-to-medium enterprises.
A total of 31 foreign military delegations attended the conference, plus 19 delegations from Australia’s own services.
Given the unprecedented travel restrictions resulting from the pandemic its cancellation was all but assured.
“This deferral will provide greater certainty for all involved with Land Forces,’’ the organisers said in a statement. “Crucially, it will allow our exhibitors, participants and stakeholders to focus on managing through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.’’
Organisers said the aim was to reschedule the conference for June 1-3 next year.
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