BIBA hopes to return "better than before" in 2021 conference

The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has forced UK's general insurance intermediary organisation BIBA to cancel its annual conference this year, which is attended by thousands of professionals and exhibitors from the insurance, reinsurance and broking world.

The British Insurance Brokers Association's event was due to be held in Manchester Central on May 13 and 14.

The conference will now return in 2021 at the same location on May 12 and 13, BIBA has confirmed.

The organisation stated that the cancellation was necessary as per the government's advice to avoid mass gathering. It noted that the association will work to make it "even better than before" in 2021.

“We know that this will come as an enormous disappointment to all of those involved, including our sponsors, exhibitors, suppliers, delegates and speakers. Indeed we, and the whole insurance sector, will miss the 2020 event," reads the statement.

"We have not taken this decision lightly. The cancellation is however necessary for reasons which we are sure you will appreciate, and which are beyond our control."

Steve White, BIBA’s chief executive, said: “We know that many people in the sector were, like ourselves at BIBA, hugely disappointed that it proved impossible for us to proceed with BIBA 2020. While we are still working through the implications, I wanted to let you know that pre-planning for 2021 is already underway. We have had many questions about next year’s event, and confirming the date and location now is the right thing to do.

“I would like to thank all exhibitors, sponsors, suppliers, contractors and delegates for their understanding and support and we all very much look forward to seeing you back in Manchester next year."