Mark Dingley, Chairman of the Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association (APPMA), joins PKN Managing Editor & Publisher Lindy Hughson to discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on AUSPACK and other packaging exhibitions.

An important announcement is made regarding the staging of the next AUSPACK show. Factors leading to the announcement included the likelihood of Australia's international borders remaining closed until late 2021 along with other challenges associated with accommodating COVID-19 restrictions including distancing, limited attendee numbers and sanitising. The discussion covers the contingencies and venues the APPMA board were assessing and the importance of maintaining a quality exhibition that is COVID-Safe.

Going beyond AUSPACK, the discussion also covers impacts to large international exhibitions, the future of exhibitions when we have resilience but not immunity to COVID-19 and the difficulties associated with virtual exhibitions as compared to in-person events. Lindy and Mark also talk about the impacts on exhibitors who are scheduling and funding their attendance at exhibitions and the associated difficulties as we adjust to the new normal going into 2021.

We wrap up the episode with Mark talking about the APPMA's plans for 2021 including the use of online platforms for webinars, training and education while also working with AUSPACK exhibitors and attendees as they transition to the next staging of AUSPACK.

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MC: Grant McHerron

Host: Lindy Hughson

Producer: Steve Visscher

Editor: Chris Visscher

PKN Packaging News - © 2020