Aviemore show postponed until September

THE UK’s biggest aquaculture show, held in Aviemore every two years, has been postponed until September in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, the organisers have announced.

The awards that were to take place during the show, scheduled for May 19-21, will also now be held in September.

In a joint statement to exhibitors, show organiser 5m Publishing and Diversified Communications UK said they had made the ‘very difficult decision’ after public health and safety concerns.

‘We have spoken to many of our exhibitors and supporters over the last couple of days, and based on the situation and the feedback, the precautionary decision has been taken to move Aquaculture UK 2020 to September 15-17, 2020.

‘Aquaculture UK is where our industry networks, discovers new products and meets decision makers. We realise that the show is more important now than ever, and it has been an incredibly difficult decision, but we feel it is the responsible step to take.

‘The Scottish government has advised that gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled from next week and the Chief Medical Officer is informing us that cases could peak within the next two to three months, which would coincide with the current show dates.

‘As a result, it is impossible to continue to plan for the current dates, and we want you to give you as much time as possible to plan and prepare for the new dates before we get any closer to the event.\’

The judges for the 2020 Aquaculture Awards still plan to meet later this month to draw up a shortlist, with the results revealed on September 16, the new date of the awards ceremony, according to the Fish Site, owned by 5m.

Those who have booked hotels for the event are advised to contact their hotels to change the dates.

The decision by 5m and Diversified Communications UK, which bought the Aviemore show earlier this year, follows the postponement of the big seafood expos in Boston and Brussels –also run by Diversified Communications, and the cancellation of conferences and exhibitions around the world.