Following GEO Business organiser Diversified Communications UK has confirmed that this year’s show has sadly been postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The UK’s largest geospatial event designed for everyone involved in the gathering, storing, processing and delivery of geospatial information will now take place on 19-20 May 2021 at ExCeL London.
Today’s other announcements include the new dates for Digital Construction Week (DCW), the UK’s only event dedicated to digital construction, engineering, design, manufacturing and operation, with the show now set to run alongside GEO Business.
The magnitude and unprecedented scale of the Covid-19 outbreak and the subsequent government restrictions have affected the lives and livelihoods of people and businesses around the world. While the UK’s strict lockdown measures are expected to ease over the coming months, social distancing and restrictions on mass gatherings look to remain for the rest of the year. Notably, many of GEO Business exhibitors and visitors are among the 7.5 million people currently furloughed, which makes it even harder for firms to plan many months ahead.
Caroline Hobden, Diversified UK’s event and portfolio director, says: “Like all businesses, we have been closely following the rapidly changing developments during these difficult times. Whilst we were hopeful that the current tough measures on restricted social interaction would be lifted by the autumn, there are still too many questions surrounding hotels, travel, social distancing measures, and individual company policies, to make it viable to run GEO Business this year. Clearly, the best and most responsible option for everyone involved is to wait and host an even better show in 2021.
“We appreciate how important GEO Business is to the geospatial profession and are very sorry to disappoint the thousands of attendees that were planning on exhibiting and visiting. However, the success as well as the safety of our exhibitors, visitors, speakers and partners has always been our priority and we are hoping that everyone will get behind this tough but necessary decision.
“The good news is that much of the event planning is already in place, and we go into 2021 with an incredible amount of good will and encouragement. The GEO Business team would like to thank the whole community for their support. We look forward to working together to ensure that it continues to be the celebration and gathering the geospatial profession deserves – and can be proud of.”
GEO Business and DCW will take place on 19-20 May 2021 at ExCeL London. Although the two shows will maintain separate identities and focus, visitors and exhibitors will benefit from a potential boost in seeing an even greater range of products and customers, respectively.
Oliver Hughes, Diversified UK’s event director, says: “DCW and GEO Business both explore technology in the built environment and have some great potential for collaboration and certainly a crossover of attendees. We are thrilled with this strategic co-locate and feel that both events will benefit hugely from this move. Whilst both will remain separate shows, they will in effect create one much larger technology event for the sector.”
The postponement of GEO Business and DCW to May and the decision to run the two shows alongside has been supported by the event’s key partners and scores of exhibitors.
“The AGI offers its complete support and understanding for the decision taken by the GEO Business team to postpone the event until 2021. As incredibly difficult a choice this must be, it is greatly appreciated that Diversified Communications has put the health, wellbeing and safety of staff, exhibitors and attendees above profit and business. This is both brave and commendable. As a key partner of the event AGI will continue to share updates on the progress and planning for GEO Business 2021 to our members and provide input and support as we all prepare for what will be a fabulous event at the new venue in the new year.” Denise McKenzie, Chair, AGI Council.
“RICS is fully supportive of the decision to postpone GEO Business until May 2021. This was a difficult and brave decision to make by the GEO Business team but one that allows participants and partner organisations to plan with confidence for 2021. In the current Covid-19 crisis, moving our favourite geospatial event to 2021 makes complete sense and brings clarity. RICS has been proud to share in the ongoing success of GEO Business, and as one of the founding partner organisations we are fully committed to working collaboratively to ensure that 2021 is a great success. The future is geospatial.” James Kavanagh, Director Land and Resources, RICS.
“In a time of seemingly never-ending uncertainty, we appreciate the courageous move from the Diversified team to announce the cancellation of GEO Business 2020 and focus on 2021 instead. The disappointment felt by us all is simply testament to the high point that the show is for us all in the geospatial calendar each year. GEO Business has gone from strength to strength, ever since the first show in 2014 and TSA has always been incredibly proud to have been one of the founding collaborating organisations. The safety of us all has been the driving force in this decision and we look forward to coming together to celebrate everything geospatial once again in May 2021. We will meet again!” Rachel Tyrrell, Secretary General, TSA.
For more information, please visit www.GeoBusinessShow.com and www.DigitalConstructionWeek.com.
