Event organiser Specialised Exhibitions – a division of Montgomery Group of companies – along with other organisers of KwaZulu-Natal’s premier trade show for the industrial technology sector has made the decision to reschedule the KwaZulu-Natal Industrial Technology Exhibition (KITE) that was due to take place from July 21 to July 23 at the Durban Exhibition Centre, in KwaZulu-Natal.

The decision comes on the back of the spread of Covid-19 remaining a significant concern.

The show will now be held on February 16 to February 18 next year at the same venue. 

“Measures declared by the President on Tuesday, March 30 to keep the country on coronavirus Alert Level 1, with a ban on mass gatherings of more than 250 people, as well as social distancing, led us to the decision to reschedule the events,” said Specialised Exhibitions MD Gary Corin in a statement issued in April.

Since the announcement, South Africa has reverted back to Alert Level 4 as a result of the severity of the third wave of infections sweeping the country.

Corin said that the safety and wellbeing of exhibitors, suppliers and visitors, as well as the rest of the industry, was of paramount importance, which determined the decision to postpone.

“Our exhibitions provide a platform for our exhibitors to engage face-to-face with their clients, launch new products and stay up to date with industry trends. We as humans crave socialisation and networking with new individuals,” he said.

Corin added that face-to-face events provided numerous opportunities to connect with others in a way that cannot be achieved online.

“It is our human nature to congregate with each other. People have slowly and safely started re-engaging, and it is time for business to do that again in the events and exhibitions environment,” he noted.

Specialised Exhibitions demonstrated its ability as an industry to do this under Covid-19 health protocols during its Restart Expo in November last year.

“We look forward to our industry opening and to hosting a strong event for the industrial technology sector in February. We appreciate the input, engagement and support of all industry stakeholders in making this decision,” Corin concluded.