South Australia’s annual business event exchange, Destination SA, will go ahead in Adelaide this week, despite ongoing COVID-19 challenges.

Organised by the Adelaide Convention Bureau (ACB), Destination SA will take place on 10-13 February showcasing the best experiences, products and services available within the destination.

ACB chief executive Damien Kitto said even with border uncertainty, it is important the event goes ahead as planned.

“Frankly, if we stop planning for future business events in South Australia…then we are failing to understand how well we must be prepared for a post vaccine COVID national recovery,” he said.

“Everything you plan early in 2021 means you have to stay nimble and adroit at reconfiguring.

“You simply have to accept clusters, snap lockdowns, border restrictions are our unfortunate new normal for now, and work round them. For Destination South Australia we have done exactly that.”

Kitto said while WA delegates would be unlikely to now travel to the event due to the recent Perth lockdown, there was an eagerness from clients in Queensland, NSW and Victoria to meet in person.

For those who are unable to attend the physical event, Destination SA will also offer a virtual option.

“Nothing beats having face-to-face communication for business development and event decisions,” said Kitto.

“But, for some that continues to be too complex to achieve and so the ACB’s responsibility to event clients and our members is to do everything possible to mitigate when face to face is not possible, hence glitch-free, high-quality hybrid planning is critical.”

Kitto said Adelaide “cannot afford not to work toward a post-COVID recovery”.

“Staying committed to holding Destination South Australia is therefore critical.”