Easyfairs announced earlier today that its Advanced Engineering 2020 event, which was due to take place on 4 and 5 November at the NEC, Birmingham, is postponed to 3 and 4 November 2021.

This decision has been made following consultation with the engineering and manufacturing industry and due to the ongoing unforeseeable and unprecedented global scope of the Coronavirus pandemic which sees the UK Government reviewing its decision to allow live events to run from 1 October and places Birmingham, where the event was due to take place, under local lockdown, further contributing to the continuing Force Majeure situation.

Easyfairs, the organiser of Advanced Engineering, has decided to postpone the event to November 2021 in order to deliver an environment in which it says the engineering community can confidently focus on business, networking and engagement.

Meanwhile, to provide a way for its community to stay in touch through these increasingly digital times, Advanced Engineering has also launched a series of free-to-attend webinars entitled ‘AE Talks’.

These dedicated online panel and keynote presentations tackle thought-provoking and relevant topics to help the engineering and manufacturing community continue to grow and develop new innovations.

Alison Willis, divisional director of Advanced Engineering, said: “2020 has been very unusual, and the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the nature of events for this year.

“Despite being given the green light by the UK Government to run business events from 1 October back in July, with this decision now suspended and considering the global situation, the social distancing restrictions and the requirements of our exhibitors, we have made the extremely difficult decision to postpone this year’s edition to 2021.”

She added: “I would like to thank everyone for their resolute support and understanding and express our ongoing commitment to the many essential businesses in this sector.”

For further information about the AE Talks virtual series and the 2021 event, visit www.advancedengineeringuk.com or email .