IT Directors Forum cancelled at last minute

The IT Directors Forum (ITDF) - the annual conference for senior IT personnel held on board P&O ship, the Oriana, - has been called off.

Richmond Events, the organisers of the ITDF, contacted Silicon.com yesterday to say that a refit being carried out by P&O taken longer than expected. As a result, the two-day conference, due to set sail from Southampton on Thursday evening, had to be scrapped.

Neil Tait, project manager at Richmond Events, said: "We are urgently contacting our delegates and exhibitors to let them know the situation. We were contacted by P&O late yesterday (Monday, 3 May) to tell us that because of mechanical difficulties the ship would not be available to accommodate our event. Because of a lack of alternatives, we were regretfully forced to the conclusion that there was no choice but to cancel the Forum for this year. We apologise to our speakers, exhibitors and delegates who were anticipating an extremely successful and interesting event."

P&O said in a statement: "P&O Cruises can confirm that its ship Oriana will be delayed re-entering service due to a technical problem which occurred at the end of its programmed refit. The cause of this delay is a stern tube bearing failure, necessitating dry-docking."

Gwyn Hughes, managing director of P&O Cruises, added: "P&O regrets the cancellation of The IT Directors Forum due to this unexpected technical problem."

All delegates and exhibitors will be offered priority booking for next year's event, which is scheduled for 11 to 14 May 2000 - on board the Oriana.