20 May 20. Another casualty: Indo-Pacific decision announced. COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on domestic and international travel, throwing conferences and industry conventions around the world out of order. Now we have an answer for the region’s premier naval expo, Pacific, or as it is now known, Indo-Pacific.
Ian Honnery, chief executive of AMDA Foundation, has issued a letter to all industry partners and exhibitors for the planned and freshly rebranded 2021 Indo-Pacific International Maritime Exposition.
“Reflecting the increasing importance of the Indo-Pacific region to the entire world, the Pacific International Maritime Exposition will become the Indo-Pacific International Maritime Exposition from 2022. Initially, there will be a new timing. Instead of the previously planned Pacific dates in August 2021, Indo-Pacific will now, in the wake of COVID-19, initially be held during May 2022,” Honnery said.
“Considering the strong awareness and engagement Pacific has built across 11 previous biennial events since it commenced in 2000, this decision has not been taken lightly. Pacific 2019 broke all records – with 657 participating exhibitor companies from 22 nations, 21,241 attendances and 182 industry, government, defence and scientific delegations, including 45 international naval delegations and 21 Chief of Navy counterparts from around the world,” he added.
Honnery stressed the significance of renaming the expo to the Indo-Pacific Expo in light of the growing importance of the combined region and Australia’s strategic position straddling both oceans.
“Australia is strategically positioned as an island continent, bordered by both the Indian and Pacific oceans. It is uniquely located within the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. In consultation with the Royal Australian Navy, AMDA Foundation Limited has, therefore, decided to reflect this unique maritime strategic and economic significance with a new focus and a new name – Indo-Pacific International Maritime Exposition,” Honnery said.
“The Indo-Pacific has become increasingly central to world commerce, international stability and security. The Indian and Pacific Oceans include the world’s busiest trade corridors, driving commercial and geopolitical connections that embrace much of the globe.
“Key Australian and international stakeholders, as well as the world’s naval defence and commercial maritime industries, are increasingly focused on the ‘Indo-Pacific’. It is, therefore, appropriate that the name of the event, which provides a platform for discussion in the national interest among those key groups and is an essential engagement and promotional opportunity for industry, should reflect that focus.”
Honnery remained upbeat about the future of the expo, saying, “With its new name, however, there will be an initial change of date. The effects of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic have resulted in the rescheduling of all of AMDA’s major expositions.
“In consultation with the Royal Australian Navy, the Indo-Pacific International Maritime Exposition will now be held in Sydney during May 2022, instead of August 2021 as previously planned for Pacific. Precise dates will be announced shortly.
“Once the aftermath of the pandemic has been transitioned, it is intended that AMDA’s expositions will resume their normal biennial cycle, with Indo-Pacific returning, after 2022, to regular timing in the latter half of odd-numbered years. We look forward to Indo-Pacific in 2022 – steering full steam ahead on a course for renewed engagement and industry growth following the COVID pandemic storm. We will welcome you on board!” Honnery said. (Source: Defence Connect)