Europlatform conference 2021 cancelled

IPAF has announced that its Europlatform conference will not go ahead in 2021.

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) said the decision about the one-day event, which is usually held annually in September or October, had been taken due to ongoing uncertainty around international travel and large gatherings as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Peter Douglas, CEO and managing director of IPAF, commented, “While Europlatform is traditionally held in the autumn, arranging the event, including booking a venue, hotel accommodation, inviting speakers and organising event staff and travel for everyone involved must be done well in advance.

“We are just not at a point in the pandemic where we understand what restrictions might be in place in Europe later this year, so along with event media partners Access International we have made this difficult decision to give maximum clarity to everyone.

Douglas added, “We are obviously very disappointed that we have had to take the step of holding the event over until next year, but we felt it is the right thing to do and we hope anyone who usually attends Europe’s premier symposium on all matters relating to powered access will understand and appreciate why we have arrived at this decision.

A virtual version of Europlatform had been considered, but following discussions it was decided that efforts would be concentrated on planning future in-person events, such as the IPAF Summit and the International Awards for Powered Access (IAPAs) in London, UK, and other physical exhibitions and conferences in 2022.

Douglas said, “We hope that by then the global roll-out of Covid-19 vaccines will be well enough advanced that the pandemic is well and truly behind us and that everyone can plan with confidence to travel, meet and network at in-person industry events hosted by IPAF and others.”