Lambex chair Georgina Gubbins.

AUSTRALIA’S premier sheep and lamb conference, LambEx, has been cancelled for the second consecutive year to retain the event’s position as the industry’s leading face-to-face gathering.

LambEx organisers have announced the event that was rescheduled for 2021 in Victoria has been cancelled, just months after the coronavirus pandemic prevented the 2020 conference in Melbourne.

Conference chair Georgina Gubbins said the Lambex committee did consider holding virtual conferences in July 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic started and in 2021.

“But the space became very crowded very quickly and that put us off a little bit.”

She said people are also getting fatigued by the number of virtual conferences and meetings being undertaken due to the pandemic.

“We feel and so do a lot of our sponsors that when we are able to meet face-to-face in 1000-plus gatherings, people are really going to want to meet each other face-to-face and network.”

Ms Gubbins said the uncertainty and risk associated with COVID-19 meant it was just not possible to progress plans further at this stage.

Ms Gubbins said, rather than postpone again, LambEx organisers had made the difficult decision to cancel, but plan to re-commence discussions with sponsors and exhibitors as soon as practicable to ensure LambEx continues as a significant sheep industry event.

“We know this news will be disappointing for many people right across the sheep industry and beyond.

“It is not a decision that has been taken lightly but we feel it is in the best interests of all involved at the moment to wait and resume planning at a later date,” she said.

“We are hugely appreciative of the ongoing support of all our sponsors, exhibitors and delegates and look forward to working with them to continue the LambEx tradition.

“LambEx has been running now since 2010 and has become a major focus for the industry both here and internationally.

“Organisers are committed to the event’s future and are keen to put in place plans for when and where a future event might be held and what it might look like in a post-COVID environment,” Ms Gubbins said.

LambEx major sponsors are Agriculture Victoria, Coles, JBS Australia and Meat & Livestock Australia together with event partners Gallagher, Rabobank, RMA network and Melbourne Showgrounds.

For future updates, monitor the LambEx event website www.lambex.com.au