One of the rail industry’s most popular free-to-attend networking events has cancelled its two remaining events of 2020 due to COVID-19.
Hundreds of visitors and up to 100 exhibitors were due to attend the Rail Infrastructure Networking (RIN) events in Derby next month and at York Racecourse in November.
However, the decision has been made to cancel the two events due to restrictions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Organiser Keven Parker, Director at Jobson James Rail, said: “Whilst the government guidelines are allowing events in sporting venues to continue – subject to safe social distancing – we do not feel that the event will be successful.
“The great strength of our event is the freedom for our visitors and exhibitors to wander around, meet existing contacts and create new ones and to be able to engage to close discussion.”
Mr Parker said they have taken guidance from other event organisers who are seeing a 70% reduction in actual and expected attendance.
“Our event is not one ran primarily for profit so we feel no pressure to run the event to make money as our aim has always been to run a great event for all and just cover our costs,” he said.
“We can run a safe event but if our footfall were to be down by 70%, as appears to be current trend with other events, then we would feel that we are not delivering value nor the key contacts that our exhibitors deserve albeit that our exhibitor fee is very low.
“Our friendly ‘we are here to do business’ atmosphere would be lost with a half empty room. I hope you can understand our predicament and why we have decided to cancel the remainder of this years events.”
It is hoped RIN will be back on Thursday 4th February, when the event is due to take place at the Business Design Centre in London and feature another Meet the Buyer aspect to the event in partnership with the Railway Industry Association.
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