The Board and Executive of the BIA is constantly monitoring developments related to COVID-19 in the public domain, in communication with government and in discussion with members. Last week, the BIA took the decision to hold the show dates for Sydney and Brisbane and set a contingency date for Adelaide in late September. This was based on the best available information at that time.
The progress of the spread of the virus over the last seven days has seen the forecasts change and based on the feedback from members and in the interests of certainty the Board has resolved to cancel the Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide Boat Shows for 2020.
Exhibitors will be offered a refund of any deposits held by the BIA.
This decision will enable the BIA resources to fully focus on member support at this challenging time. The BIA’s core purpose is to support and protect member prosperity and our current areas of focus continue to be:
- Keep Australia Boating: we are communicating with both Federal and State politicians and departments to make sure that our message regarding the importance of continuing to service, maintain and protect the boating fleet and marine estate from a life safety, environmental protection and user physical and mental health point of view gets through.
- Deciphering the constant updates to stimulus and protection packages that are being proposed by state and federal governments so that we can communicate and assist members in this regard.
- Highlighting the benefits of boating at this time and re-enforcing the importance of using the appropriate social isolation protocols when boating in all its forms.
- Mobilising a digital campaign to remind people about the joys and freedoms of boating now and into the future to support ongoing boating activity and the future recovery.
We know that our membership is doing it very tough with this health crisis coming on the top of a difficult summer and we are applying all of our energy into limiting the restrictions on our industry while maximising the available government support.
We need to come together, support each other, follow the government directives and look after the most vulnerable in our industry and our community.
The most up to date information is on the BIA website under the COVID-19 page.
On behalf of the BIA Board and staff please stay safe and practice social distancing.
Kind regards
Darren Vaux
President
