Security & Government Expo organisers have delayed a decision on the 2021 event, scheduled for November 25 at the Realm Hotel, Canberra – 2 months away.
According to SAGE’s Monique Keatinge, event organisers, in concert with ASIS ACT and the Realm Hotel, have been discussing the possibility of holding this year’s event in a COVID-safe environment and have decided to delay their final decision for 4 weeks to give time for clarification around the staged re-opening of travel and events later in the year.
“There were more than 4 million jabs in Australia in the last 14 days alone, and with case numbers falling in NSW/ACT there is the possibility we may be able to hold SAGE 2021 with strict COVID-19 strategies in place, including that all visitors be fully vaccinated, and masking and distancing protocols be policed by fearsome COVID marshals,” Keatinge said.
“Being a pop-up, one-day event, SAGE’s light weight and low staffing numbers make it possible to delay the decision and importantly, the Realm Hotel has given organisers full flexibility to postpone should this prove to be the safest course of action. Certainly, if the situation looks doubtful late October, SAGE will be pushed back to November 2022.
“However, should the vaccination trajectory of NSW and ACT continue to accelerate through a staged re-opening from mid-October, SAGE may be possible, within strict health guidelines,” Keatinge said.
“At current rates, NSW/ACT will reach 70 per cent full vaccination on October 6, 80 per cent full vaccination on October 19 and 90 per cent full vaccination on November 1 – more than 3 weeks before the event.”
“We will be in touch with exhibitors and attendees as time progresses – anyone with questions or concerns is encouraged to reach out on 61 2 9280 4425 for clarification and assistance.”
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