London-based event Helitech Expo has changed its dates from March to 26/27 May 2021, remaining at the ExCeL centre in London.

Organisers Prysm Group have advised that the move is “due to ongoing restrictions on large scale business events and changing government guidelines“.

However, as industry observers we believe that a further significant reason is the March dates were very badly thought out, less than two weeks ahead of HAI Heli-Expo in New Orleans. Both exhibitors and visitors alike would only likely visit one of two closely set events, and the potential up-side of the significantly larger Heli-Expo would much more likely lure anyone with the pandemic in mind.

Let’s hope that a COVID19 vaccine will ensure the future success of both events.  Given today’s cancellation of the 2021 Paris Air Show, it’s clear that our industry will remain in precarious times for a while yet.

Final note – it seems that Prysm have also lowered their aspirations of the event and quietly renamed it from “Helitech World Expo” to “Helitech Expo” too.

Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com