A Message from Coasts & Ports 2021 Co-Chairs
Coasts & Ports 2021 has been postponed to 10th to 13th April 2022
Despite our hope and determination that this year’s Coasts & Ports Conference would be delivered in December 2021 both online and in-person at Te Pae, Christchurch, it has become apparent over recent weeks that our vision of bringing the community together at this time is unacceptably risky given uncertainties around completion of the new conference facility at Te Pae, with COVID level changes in New Zealand affecting this, and uncertainty around people’s ability to attend.
The committee has been monitoring this situation closely while also investing in the capability to roll out the conference in a dynamic and interactive hybrid format.
Given the advice from Te Pae and the uncertain and rapidly evolving nature of the pandemic across Australasia, and the inherent risks should the Coasts & Ports 2021 proceed as planned, a decision has been made to postpone the conference to the next available dates, when we can be assured that the venue will be fully completed, functional and tested – this will be 10th to 13th April 2022.
Although this final delay is disappointing, we look to our conference theme “Te oranga takutai – Adapt and Thrive” welcoming the prospect of connecting again in a face-to-face format with more delegates, as well as our confirmed presenters, sponsors and exhibitors.
Please rest assured that should travel continue to be restricted due to COVID, Coast & Ports 2021 will still proceed at the new dates regardless (10th to 13th April 2022), with programme planning from here onwards building in all possible format contingencies.
As we navigate through the disruption, we ask for your patience and thank all our sponsors, presenters and delegates for their ongoing support of the Coasts & Ports and look forward to seeing you in Christchurch 10th to 13th April 2022.
If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact our professional conference organiser, Encanta Event Management, via events@encanta.com.au.
Kind regards,
Deirdre Hart & Tom Shand
Coasts & Ports 2021 Co-Chairs