Update: 2020-07-23
UKNOF46 is currently on hold and will not take place at Manchester Central this year.
The date of 26th October is only a placeholder while we consider an alternative date for an online UKNOF.
Further to the postponement of the meeting to the end of October, UKNOF had been in discussion with the venue on the various options available to us in light of the ongoing pandemic and the health and safety concerns of everyone participating in our community.
October seemed like a lifetime away and we had hoped that the danger would have been over by then. However the uncertainty continued and our discussions were moving on to requesting flexibility in the contract and a further postponement.
The venue has now confirmed they will remain a Nightingale Hospital until March 2021, and we should know by the end of the year if this will be extended further.
Update: 2020-07-18
We are continuing to monitor developments related to the pandemic and considering various options for UKNOF46.
Update: 2020-03-19
Over the past few weeks, we have been monitoring the developments related to COVID-19. The health and safety of everyone participating in our community and keeping the UK's critical Internet infrastructure operating at this difficult time, are important priorities to UKNOF. As a precautionary measure to protect the health and safety of the UKNOF community, UKNOF is postponing UKNOF46 which was planned to take place on 16 April 2020 at Manchester Central Convention Centre.
With the COVID-19 situation constantly and rapidly changing (and now considered a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization, causing much uncertainty for all concerned, at the same time as being made aware of restrictions imposed on some of our attendees (including speakers), UKNOF believes it is appropriate to take action at this point. We looked at various options, including a remote-only meeting or even cancelling it completely. We are doing what we know is right in the moment and are happy to announce postponement to a later date.
UKNOF has been working closely with the venue - Manchester Central - and are grateful to them for their flexibility during this difficult time for all parties concerned. We have been able to secure a future date with them. UKNOF46 will now take place on Monday 26 October 2020.
Planned speakers
The Programme Committee will be working with the speakers of the currently accepted talks to see which of them can still be included in the postponed programme.
Registrations
Existing registrations will automatically move to the new date unless they are unable to attend.
Those who have paid registrations prior to the postponement announcement on 16 March 2020 and are no longer able to attend, may request any one of the following (by 22:59 UTC on 16 April):
- move the registration to UKNOF47 in January 2020
- leave the amount paid as a donation toward UKNOF
- transfer to someone else within your organisation
- full refund
Further, those who paid £100 + VAT (50% discounted Early Bird) for their registration before 16 March 2020 have another few options available to them (until 22:59 UTC on 16 April):
- move the registration to both UKNOF46 and UKNOF47 (both will be registered as 75% discounted Early Bird registtrations)
- move the registration to UKNOF46 and refund the difference between 75% and 50% Early Bird fees
- move the registration to UKNOF46 and donate the difference between 75% and 50% Early Bird fees to UKNOF
Registrations remain open. Please refer to the Registration Page for the updated registration schedule.
LINX Manchester Social Event
LINX have informed us the LINX Manchester social event to which UKNOF46 delegates were invited has now been cancelled and they will be looking at options closer to our postponed meeting.
FUNDING PLEA
It would be enormously helpful if anyone who has paid for their registration would consider, if they are unable to attend on the postponed date, moving their registration to UKNOF47 or donating the amount paid toward UKNOF's costs. It will enable us to manage our cash flow in this very difficult moment.
As a not-for-profit organisation, we rely on paid registrations, sponsorship and patronage for our income, and the economic uncertainty ahead is a huge worry. If you can afford to, please consider donating the price of a registration or another amount however large or small to UKNOF. There are various ways this can be done:
- If no longer attending UKNOF46, the registrant can email us to cancel and inform us they do not wish to receive a refund
- A donation toward UKNOF46 can be made via the donation option on the registration site: <https://uknof46.eventbrite.co.uk>
- Any one can sign up to be a 'Friend of UKNOF' - from around £5 per month: <https://uknof.uk/friends>
- Sign up as a Corporate Patron of UKNOF - <https://uknof.uk/patronage>
- Sing up as a Sponsor at UKNOF46 - <https://uknof.uk/sponsorship>
UKNOF47
This was originally due to take place in September 2020 and will now move to 19 January 2021 at etc Venues 155 Bishopsgate, London.
Update: 2020-03-16
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic we are postponing UKNOF46 until 26th October in Manchester.
There will be an announcement later this week with further details.
Final details are still being clarified, therefore It is very unlikely that we will be able to respond to any questions until after the next announcement, we ask for questions to be held until then.
Update: 2020-03-14
UKNOF is aware of the situation concerning the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, and how this may impact attendance and travel arrangements for UKNOF46.
The health and safety of everyone participating in our community is an important priority to UKNOF. We are closely monitoring the situation and reviewing alternative arrangements, including whether we need to conduct a virtual-only meeting, or postpone UKNOF46 until the Autumn.
We regret but understand that some of our attendees may be unable to be at UKNOF46 due to this outbreak and related state- and/or employer-imposed travel restrictions.
Such situations are nonetheless fluid and subject to change. We recommend that all UKNOF46 attendees remain alert, monitor the situation and their own health, and consult information from official sources. Official information on COVID-19 from the UK National Health Service, and The European Union Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), are available at:
Please seek professional medical advice if you have concerns about the potential impact of this on your own health condition(s), and of course do not travel if you exhibit symptoms or feel unwell.
If you are unable to travel to UKNOF46 for any reason related to COVID-19, please let us know via <admin@uknof.org.uk>, and we'll do our best to facilitate your participation in UKNOF46 remotely and/or an alternative future workshop.
UKNOF will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and update this statement, as needed, and in any case no later than 2nd April.
