Specialised Event’s Melbourne expo has new dates, with a postponement from its scheduled 26-27 November 2021 slot because of continued uncertainty over Covid-related restrictions.
Now the Melbourne show, which hasn’t been held since 2019, will precede the National Franchise Convention in April 2022.
Taking up its usual Friday/Saturday slot, the expo takes place on 1 and 2 April 2022; the NFC, organised by the Franchise Council of Australia, is scheduled for the 4 and 5 April in Melbourne.
Fiona Stacey, exhibition organiser, said Specialised Events had canvassed opinion on going ahead with the November dates before making the difficult decision to postpone.
“Although New South Wales and Victoria are coming out of lockdowns and some border restrictions are starting to ease, there are still valid concerns around the Melbourne event proceeding as planned in November,” she said.
The Melbourne and Brisbane expos have both been moved to new dates more than once as lockdown woes have played havoc with the events calendar.
Now the line-up of expos for 2022 sees the first event in Brisbane on 4 and 5 of March, followed by the Melbourne show 1 and 2 April, and the May-scheduled Sydney expo now moving to 5 and 6 August . Perth is also back on the calendar with a 22 November date.
Exhibitors and the event organiser will be hoping the hugely-anticipated Brisbane and Melbourne expos see a similar upbeat mood to the lift in confidence at the March 2021 Sydney expo.
“We cannot wait to be back face to face at the expos, 2022 will see a transformation in the way people work and the desire to be your own boss will be stronger than ever,” said Stacey.