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Based on the COVID-19 measurements taken and announced by the Dutch government on Friday 12 November 2021, we had to make a decision about CIODAY2021 on 23 November 2021.
Due to the measures announced on Friday 12 November 2021, we as ICT Media BV are unable to execute the CIODAY product as planned. Physically executing CIODAY2021 on 23 November 2021, taking these new measures into account, means that some serious adjustments would have to be made. Virtually executing CIODAY2021 is not an option despite the success of the 2020 edition.
Carrying out CIODAY2021 physically on 23 November 2021 also entails a number of new risks of harm. In the first place, we as ICT Media can no longer offer and guarantee the desired quality and possibilities with the right balance between content and networking that would have been possible without these restrictions. It is simply no longer possible to offer a successful CIODAY with these restrictions. In addition, internal policies within organizations will be tightened based on the new measures. This will contribute to an increased number of unsubscribes in the coming days and ultimately also ‘no shows’ on the day itself. This, besides the personal sentiments about whether or not to take a risk as a person to go to an event with a size of 500 people.
As an organization we must guarantee the safety and health of our guests, customers, partners, suppliers and our own employees. In a time of increasing infections, the risks have become too high. Besides health, safety and ethics, in the event of calamities we as an organization have to take possible reputational damage into account as CIODAY and involved partners. This also includes any subsequent notification of a so-called ‘spread event’.
In the past 72 hours, intensive consultations have taken place with a large group of stakeholders, including the CIO Platform Netherlands (the professional association of the Top100 CIOs), a group of CIOs, a group of strategic partners, a group of suppliers (including the Studio21 location and the local Gooi and Vechtstreek Safety Region) of CIODAY2021 and our own employees.
The final decision taken means that we will postpone CIODAY2021 from 23 November 2021 to Tuesday 15 February 2022.
Assuming the implementation will then be as planned before the announced measures on Friday 12 November 2021: a Day and Dinner with the right balance between content and networking.
We trust that all CIODAY2021 stakeholders understand the above motivation and the final decision taken.
We trust to be of service as always!
‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands, 16 November 2021
Rob Beijleveld
CEO ICT Media BV (Owner & Major Shareholder)