Lab Innovations, which was due to take place on 4 & 5 November at the NEC, Birmingham, has been postponed until next year in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Organisers Easyfairs made the difficult decision following consultation with the laboratory industry and due to the ongoing unforeseeable and unprecedented global scope of the pandemic which sees the UK government reviewing its decision to allow live events to run from 1 October and places Birmingham under local lockdown.
Lab Innovations reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the industry can have a valuable opportunity to meet digitally and reignite business connections, by recently launching its new Lab Live virtual series in partnership with key industry players and associations.
The online events cover topics such as sustainability, social distancing in the lab, professional registration for technicians and efficiency assessment frameworks.
Alison Willis, Divisional Director of Lab Innovations, explains: “Despite being given the green light by the UK Government to run business events back in July, with this decision now suspended, teamed with the stringent safety and sanitary protocols we had in place for this year’s event, we have been in close consultation with the laboratory industry and all stakeholders in the event regarding their concerns around bringing the whole community face to face at this time.
“Considering the global situation, the social distancing restrictions and the requirements of our exhibitors, we have made to the extremely difficult decision to have to postpone this year’s edition to 2021.”
Given the scope of the coronavirus, to ensure the most successful and highest quality event for the market and to guarantee the health and safety of all involved, Easyfairs has postponed the event to the next calendar year in order to deliver a safe environment in which the entire community can feel confident to gather again.
Willis added: “During this difficult and unprecedented time, I have been overwhelmed by the support that we have from the industry for the event and its critical role in bringing the industry together again.
“This year the laboratory industry has been centre stage like never before and we are proud to serve a community that plays a critical role in helping us get through the pandemic safely.
“We know that Lab Innovations 2021 will play a vital role in reigniting new business connections, will demonstrate pioneering case studies and will therefore be the perfect opportunity to come together and celebrate the hard work of the community.”