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The founder of an e-commerce conference in Belfast has said that such events should be treated as an integral part of the economy.

Comm Live 2021, with main sponsor IRP Commerce, is scheduled to take place online and in the Assembly Buildings in Belfast on September 22nd and 23rd, subject to pandemic restrictions.

Executives from tech companies like Facebook, Samsung, Klarna and Google will be attending.

The aim of the conference is to provide insight and knowledge to those who have recently started selling online as well as established e-commerce businesses.

However, Kevin Traynor said he was disappointed with a July 30 board change that would postpone the relaxation of conference and exhibition restrictions for another two weeks. That thwarted eComm Live’s plans.

Mr Traynor said, “The problem with the delay is not that the government is taking the necessary precautions, but that it does not seem logical for lockdown measures to be relaxed in so many other areas.

“Business conferences are an integral part of the Northern Irish economy and must be treated as such if we are to build better for the future.”

He said there were 19 business events planned between August and December that would raise £ 5 million for the economy, “but we still don’t have a clear plan from Stormont management when they can be held”.

“These business events are crucial to getting the local economy back on its feet.”

The executive should hold further talks on Thursday.

He said the conference will look at how the pandemic has affected retailers and how e-commerce could help them become more competitive.

Here too, Brexit gave the dealers a “unique competitive advantage” over other locations, starting here they could sell to Great Britain, the Republic and the rest of Europe.

“We mustn’t gamble this chance,” he said.

“Likewise, we mustn’t waste the opportunity to deliver a coherent message to many global eCommerce executives hoping to attend eComm Live in September that NI is open to business and we are on the global one Want to be successful on the stage. ”

And he said organizers had a “robust Covid-19 response plan” to ensure delegates’ safety, including contactless check-in, social distancing, masks and hand hygiene stations.

Philip Macartney, IRP Commerce’s Chief Commercial Officer, said, “The restrictions of the past few months have seen companies cry out for an opportunity to reconnect and collaborate with like-minded people.

“E-commerce is a fast-paced industry with enormous international potential, especially in the post-Brexit era, and we are confident that eComm Live is the place to do business.

“As a company We have always tried to work with the brave and the ambitious, and we felt it was now more important than ever to continue that ethos and support eComm Live’s ambitious plans for this year’s event. “

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