The Australian National Field Days are off for another year.
In the growing list of cancellations, the 2021 Australian National Field Days (ANFD) will not go ahead due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As one of the rural industries’ major events, and especially important for the Central West, the news has come as a major blow.
The health crisis cancelled last year’s event, with the three-day festival of farming set to celebrate ANFD’s 70th anniversary as the nation’s oldest annual agricultural exhibition.
ANFD Chairman Sam Connell said it was apparent they couldn’t proceed when assessing the large number of exhibitors who regularly come from Greater Sydney, Queensland and Victoria.
“ANFD has been advised that we are able to operate under the 4sqm rule if not in lockdown, however, NSW Health has strongly recommended the event not go ahead in the current climate,” Mr Connell said.
“An event of this size does not happen overnight, and we owe it to those contractors, suppliers and exhibitors committed to the event to give them notice,” said ANFD Manager, Jayne West.
“The organisation will take a huge financial hit along with local businesses in the Cabonne Council and Orange City Council Local Government Areas, but it is utmost that we look after the safety of our rural regions and community.”
Our hospitality and tourism businesses will take another hit, given the revenue this event traditionally brings in.
What keeps many vendors coming back is the value of meeting customers face-to-face and demonstrating products in a flexible space.
Statistics from a 2019 ANFD survey showed that 81% of visitors didn’t attend any other field days, while 69% attended to purchase or enquire about purchasing a product or service.
Management will be organising contact for site refunds or the rollover of fees to the 2022 event. They have hinted smaller events may be held in early 2022.