I wanted to update you personally with regard to the rapidly changing situation in which we all find ourselves.
First and foremost, your health and safety and that of our staff and wider colleagues, is always our highest priority and first consideration.
Working together with our trusted event partners, we are closely monitoring the coronavirus (Covid-19) situation, and carefully reviewing the daily Government guidance updates.
Our conclusion at this stage is that 3CDSE will still go ahead on the planned dates of 14 & 15 July 2020.
This is still four months away and it is entirely possible that the Coronavirus may have peaked in the UK by then. Should this be the case, the early opportunity to stage an excellent business development event will be even more important than ever, to help British and Global defence and security businesses get back on their feet. We want to ensure we can support this by remaining steadfast and resolute in our delivery.
Therefore, and in the spirit of keeping calm and carrying on, the 3CDSE management team continue to work alongside MOD and our other stakeholders to ensure we deliver an absolutely first class event in July. The 3CDSE team are maintaining stringently the Government guidelines with regard to protecting our own health and safety to ensure we're here for you, when you need us.
However, should it become apparent that the Coronavirus has not abated by July, therefore making it necessary to postpone 3CDSE until later in the year, we are sensibly looking at alternative dates, should they be required. We will of course update you on any such change as soon as is practicable.
We therefore ask that you stay steadfast during this uncertain time and continue to plan and work with us. 3CDSE is a rather special, and certainly different, event to many others in the defence and security calendar. The MOD Special Projects Industry day, the 3CDSE Expo and Conference are niche, technology and innovation-relevant and strongly supported by MOD.
Another aspect that differentiates us from other events is that 30% of our profits are distributed to military charities and a further 55% of our profits are donated to the 3CDSG trade association to support SMEs to attend future business development events - such as ours.
We have made great strides since last year's show, and we can't wait to showcase these to you.
Finally, I'm delighted to share with you here comments from Brigadier Robin Anderton-Brown, Head of Capability Special Projects, Strategic Command, on the importance to MOD of 3CDSE:
“This year’s 3CDSE, and the Special Projects Capability Branch and DE&S Industry Day that precedes it, will be a key opportunity to update industry on the progress of the Integrated Review and provides an important forum to interact with industry to ensure that we have the capabilities we need, whilst driving innovation and prosperity across the UK.
"As well enabling MOD and industry partners to connect and gain a clear understanding of the funded equipment capability programme, I see this as an extremely important opportunity to inform thinking on the technologies and capability solutions required to operate in the future and also agree upon mechanisms to improve our acquisition agility and rapidly exploit innovation.
“This is the third year that the MOD Special Projects Capability Branch has partnered with 3CDSE. I am confident that we will build upon the success of previous years and I look forward to continuing to work together with existing industry partners and identifying opportunity for new relationships to address the challenges we face both today and in the years ahead.”
We continue to monitor and heed Government advice and will update you if the situation changes on this page.
If you have any specific questions, please do contact us at info@3cdse.co.uk.
In this unprecedented time, we share your concerns for your business and yourselves. Together we are stronger. Please take care, look after yourselves and your loved ones, support your neighbours and community, and we look forward to welcoming you to 3CDSE 2020 in July.
Kind regards
Anna
Anna Roby-Welford
CEO, 3CDSE
