Another London Show Postponed
By Rachelle Crum -- Tradeshow Week, 8/15/2005
The inaugural Anglo African Business & Trade Exhibition, scheduled July 28–30 at ExCeL London, was postponed to Nov. 24–26 at the same venue.
Show co-organizer Africa Initiative U.K. stated that the cancellation stemmed from exhibitors' concerns about security in London following the July 7 bombings and the July 21 attempted bombings in the city.
A conference July 28 took place as planned, because "the conference is quite exclusive from the exhibition. The number attending is manageable," said Yaw Addo, management member of Africa Initiative U.K.
According to Bernard Otabil, deputy editor of event co-organizer Africa Week magazine, 25 percent of the show's confirmed international exhibitors canceled in the days following the July 21 incidents.
"This is the most expensive option for us to take, but it is also obvious that given the exceptional circumstances in London today, it is the best option," Otabil said.
More than 1,000 exhibitors and 20,000 visitors were expected to attend the three-day show. Nevertheless, added Otabil, "We are confident that we will be able to have a successful event in November."
Previously, the West London Higher Education Convention, scheduled to draw 7,000 high school students to Earls Court & Olympia on July 8, was canceled due to the previous day's attacks.
