With concerns regarding the safety and wellbeing of attendees and continued uncertainty around travel, the Professional Conference Organisers Association (PCOA) has made the decision to postpone its annual conference.

Originally scheduled to take place in Hobart later this month, the PCOA conference will now be held 11-13 December 2022, at the Hotel Chancellor, Hobart.

PCOA president Barry Neame said the postponement decision was based on the COVID situation in most Australian states and was not made lightly.

“The 2021 conference was anticipated to be a most positive engagement platform between all sectors of the industry, who have not been able to meet face to face for two years,” Neame said.

“There was an overwhelming sense of excitement from members and stakeholders that the industry, at last, could come together to celebrate and network after such uncertain times.

“The exhibition had sold out, sponsorship uptake was at an all-time high, and registration numbers were heading toward making the conference the largest PCOA one ever held.”

Neame said the PCOA was hopeful that by the time the conference comes around in December, there will be no barriers to safely attending and reconnecting with industry colleagues.

“PCOA would like to sincerely thank Business Events Tasmania (BET), The Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart, Tourism Australia, ICMI, the conference sponsors and exhibitors who have so far played a major role in what promised to be another successful, productive and memorable conference.”

In the meantime, PCOA will continue to deliver an education program throughout 2022, in the lead up to its conference in December 2022.