The APF Exhibition has been postponed until 2021 due to continued uncertainties surrounding COVID-19.

The event – which was scheduled to take place on 24–26 September at Ragley Estate, Alcester – will now roll forward to 23–25 September 2021 at the same venue.

The decision was taken after taking many elements into consideration, organisers said. These included:

  • The current ban on mass gatherings is still in place with no indication of if or when this restriction will be lifted.
  • Recognising that exhibitors need to order stock and equipment for the show, much of which has a three-month lead time and avoid the risk of exhibitors buying stock for the show which is then cancelled at short notice.
  • Many businesses have been forced to close and equipment that some exhibitors would like to have for the show will not be available.
  • The potential lack of availability of nearby hotel accommodation for APF staff.
  • The proposed restrictions and quarantining of anyone visiting the UK will severely affect exhibitors, their staff and visitors from abroad being able to attend.
  • Social distancing rules making it very hard for exhibitors to engage with visitors safely.
  • Concerns about safety and business lockdowns affecting the number of exhibitors who attend.
  • Concerns that safety issues will restrict visitor numbers and therefore badly affect trading levels for exhibitors.
  • Not to place an unnecessary potential strain on local emergency services by holding a mass gathering and recognising that currently police, ambulance and St John Ambulance are not attending any such events, with no indication of when they might do so.
  • Concerns about staff safety working at such a large event.
  • Concerns raised by exhibitors about attending and whether it would be viable for them to do so.

Exhibition secretary, Ian Millward, commented: “It is with a very heavy heart that we made this decision, but taking all of the above into account it became obvious that there was only one sensible option and that was to postpone until September 2021.

"The show is the industry flagship event and everyone in the organising team is passionate about the show and want to make it the best we possibly can. We simply cannot stage the event this year to the size and quality our exhibitors, sponsors, visitor and ourselves want.

"We sincerely hope that in 12 months time the world will have returned to something much closer to normal and we can run the event as we and everyone else want."

Organisers have said that although the decision to postpone would impact financially, they remain in a robust financial position and exibitors will not lose their site fees, which will roll forward to APF 2021.

Any visitors who have already purchased advance tickets can either carry them forward to next year or request a refund.

Ian Millward added: "We hope that all our exhibitors, sponsors and visitors agree with our decision to postpone and that by doing so we can all have a far better event next year."

If you have any queries about any of the above please contact 01428 723545 or email info@apfexhibition.co.uk.

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