HUNTER businesses are turning to innovative solutions to avoid the impact of the coronavirus, with one transforming its annual conference into a virtual event.
TROG Cancer Research had scheduled its annual scientific research meeting at Sydney's International Convention Centre from March 16-19, with 250 health specialists attending.
However the not-for-profit group's CEO, Susan Goode, said the emerging COVID-19 pandemic prompted the the Waratah-based head office to host the meeting virtually.
"Our keynote international and national speakers will give their addresses live and attendees can link in via phone or computer to watch and ask questions," she said.
Based at the Calvery Mater campus, TROG Cancer Research performs cancer clinical trials using radiation therapy, in hospitals and cancer treatments centres in Australia and New Zealand.
Ms Goode said while many other health events were being cancelled, the virtual meeting had been an effective response that had also led to potential new virtual attendees.
"Its main purpose is to update our TROG members of all the trials we are conducting and to discuss new ideas and concepts for trial, so that's where we want to keep the dialogue going," she said.
"Overall the response has been positive, it's an inconvenience to those with travel arrangements but the safety of delegates, their patients and community is paramount. If we deliver in virtual-live format those who have put in effort can have their work utilised," she said.
Newcastle headquartered, national accountancy firm PKF has cancelled a meeting of up to 50 accountants next Thursday in Newcastle as a precaution.
Its head of business development, Sarah Scott, said PKF would likely request all staff to work at home for one day next week so it could test its computer servers.
"IT is checking our servers so that should office closures need to take place they can handle people working from home and things run smoothly," she said, adding many staff worked remotely.
PKF is taking "reasonable steps" to ensure staff safety, for example advising not to travel in high-risk areas.
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