The Entech Roadshow dates for Melbourne and Brisbane have been cancelled.

‘We have had exhibitor cancellations that compromise Entech Roadshow, and while 65 per cent of all registered to attend tomorrows show at MCEC said they were coming when surveyed at 10am today, we doubt attendance will be viable,’ says show organiser, Julius Grafton. ‘Furthermore, the MCEC cannot guarantee the facility will remain open beyond tonight. All other major Melbourne Government facilities (Museum, Art Gallery, Arts Centre) are now closed. Victoria has declared a National Emergency.’

In its own statement, the MCEC said: ‘Following direction from the Victoria Government who are enacting a ban on all non-essential and static events of more than 500 people in order to delay the spread of Covid-19, MCEC is also reviewing events below this threshold. Whilst a decision is being made as to the potential short-term closure of MCEC, of which a decision will not be made until end of business day 16 March.

‘Accordingly, prefer not to do a sub-par roadshow,’ says Grafton. ‘The venue status is increasingly dire, so we have made the very hard decision to cancel the rest of Entech Roadshow 2020. We will return in March 2021 by which time the crisis will be well and truly over.

‘Our New Zealand roadshow scheduled for July and August will be deep frozen and resurrected for the same dates and places in 2021,’ he adds.

In a concurrent announcement, the Australian Commercial & Entertainment Association (ACETA) made the following statement: ‘With regard to the upcoming ACETA annual industry convention to be held on the 15-17 May 2020, no stakeholder wants this event cancelled, quite the contrary. Those who have cared to comment, suggest it is now more important than ever.

‘At this point in time, the convention complies with all recommendations, in particular the attendance number, which we doubt would exceed 100 individuals on any specific event occasion. It also takes place in a suitable and well-appointed environment, the Gateway Hotel Wangaratta, Victoria. However, we will be guided by best practise and the guidance of relevant authorities, and keep you regularly updated, never before have we needed to be more united.’