Imagine if UK govt advice were this clear, as well explained and meaningful in its apologies and thankyou’s.
Remember next election vote BIALL !
Here’s their update on putting BIALL events on hold for the forseeable future
This is the email we really did not want to have to send but as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread and we each face the reality that it will change our lives well beyond the next few weeks, we are sorry to confirm that we are postponing the 2020 BIALL Conference for 12 months. We feel in these challenging times that we must do everything we can to limit the spread of the virus, protect our respective nations’ vital health services and keep all our delegates, exhibitors and event staff safe and well.
Personally I would like to acknowledge the enormous contribution made by Julie Christmas and the Conference Committee in arriving at this point. The outcome, as Julie has set out below, is the result of countless telephone calls, emails and texts, all of which were taking place while we live and work through what can only be described as unprecedented times. You only appreciate the level of industry that goes into making the annual Conference happen when you attend your first Conference Committee meeting, and how far in advance much of that work starts. I am sincerely grateful for all their input and time to date, and realise that it doesn’t just end with this email.
The BIALL Conference Committee felt an alternate date in 2020 was not feasible given the current uncertainty, the busy schedules many of us have in the Autumn, and the other industry events which have already moved to new dates around this time. We therefore look forward to welcoming you all to the 51st Annual BIALL Conference 9-12th June 2021 in Harrogate – we hope the delay to your Betty’s tearoom visit will not be too disappointing.
We are absolutely delighted that our Platinum Sponsors vLex Justis and LexisNexis, as well as Silver sponsors Wildy & Sons are planning to stand by us and transfer their generous sponsorship to the new date. We hope too that the many exhibitors who had already committed for 2020 will be able to join us in 2021 and we will be in contact with them to discuss further.
For delegates who have already made a booking and paid we will issuing a full refund and will be in contact with you to arrange this. If you have booked and received an invoice but have not paid we will arrange a credit note to cancel the invoice. If you had already booked any travel many train and airlines are allowing cancellations, changes and refunds so do make sure you investigate your options.
We do apologise for any inconvenience and disappointment but ask for your understanding in these difficult times and hope you support what was really the only responsible decision to make. We will be doing our utmost to bring you as many as possible of the fantastic sessions and events that we had planned for Bodies in the Library: sleuthing, plotting and making the case, albeit a little later than we had hoped.
We offer a huge thank you to Sovereign Conference who worked tirelessly with the venues to find a solution and who will now move on to dealing with the bookings from 2020. Do bear with us as we work through everything.
We wish you, your families, colleagues and users all the very best – do stay safe and well, and look out for each other.
Renate Ní Uigín & Julie Christmas
BIALL President & BIALL Conference Committee Chair