Industry shows, conventions and expos are joining other organizations in canceling upcoming events that draw large crowds in an attempt to help slow the spread of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Health leaders encouraged Americans to socially distance themselves and avoid large crowds. The Mid-American Trucking Show and National Private Truck Council were among the first to cancel events planned for this spring in the Midwest. Some others have been postponed until later in the year.
Patients with COVID-19 can keep the pathogen in their respiratory tract for up to 37 days, according to a new study that suggests patients could be infectious for weeks. The new coronavirus, which has been confirmed in nearly 120 countries and infected at least 125,000 people, is spread through human proximity — generally through coughing and sneezing. It causes little more than a cough if it stays in the nose and throat, which it does for the majority of people infected. Danger starts when it reaches the lungs.
One in seven patients develops difficulty breathing and other severe complications, while 6% become critical. These patients typically suffer failure of the respiratory and other vital systems and sometimes develop septic shock, according to a report by last month’s joint World Health Organization-China mission. You can read more details on the “tipping point” of coronavirus here.
About 10-15% of mild-to-moderate patients progress to severe and of those, 15-20% progress to critical. Patients at the highest risk include people 60 and older and those with pre-existing conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
And a big part of health experts’ urge for people to limit human interactions is to protect the more vulnerable. While most who contract coronavirus will survive after days of discomfort, it could be much worse for high-risk patients.
Below are details on trucking industry-related events (in alphabetical order) that have been canceled or postponed. We will attempt to keep this list updated. If you have an update on an industry event to add to this list, please email Fleet Owner digital editor Catharine Conway at cconway [at] endeavorb2b.com.
CONEXPO-CON/AGG & IFPE 2020: To close one day early
Due to the growing concerns about COVID-19, the travel restrictions put in place by the President and changing corporate travel policies that impact many of the attendees and exhibitors, the decision was made to close CONEXPO-CON/AGG & IFPE one day early, closing on Friday, March 13 at 5 p.m.
CONEXPO-CON/AGG & IFPE made this decision based on conversations with AEM officers and other leadership, several top exhibitors, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and the office of the Nevada Governor.
As was said from early February when the first news of COVID-19 became available, show leaders were committed to monitoring the situation daily and keeping our top priority focused on the health and safety of all participants at CONEXPO-CON/AGG & IFPE 2020, including attendees, exhibitors, vendors, staff, industry partners, and others involved in the show.
After 5 p.m. on March 13, booths will dismantle and the scheduled process of removing equipment from the show floor will begin.
MATS 2020: Canceled
The Mid-American Trucking Show, scheduled for March 26-28 in Louisville, was canceled on March 12.
MATS organizers made the decision to cancel the show after consultation with exhibitors, attendees, supporters, and partners, including Kentucky Venues, Louisville Tourism, the Kentucky governor’s office, and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Families Services.
“In light of today’s extraordinary circumstances and with an abundance of caution, this decision has been made with the health and safety of our attendees, exhibitors, employees, and show partners in mind,” read a message from MATS Show Management.
MATS plans to return to Louisville March 25-27, 2021, for the 50th anniversary of the heavy-duty trucking show.
NAFA 2020: Postponed
The NAFA Fleet Management Association postponed the NAFA 2020 Institute & Expo, scheduled for April 6-8 in Indianapolis, has been postponed into the late summer or early fall, the organization announced March 12.
“This was a difficult decision for our organization, but ultimately NAFA Board of Directors are taking this extraordinary step to help protect the safety and well-being of our attendees, exhibitors and all participants from the coronavirus,” said Patti Earley, president of the NAFA Fleet Management Association.
“Having spent the past year preparing for the show with our committees, speakers, exhibitors, and event partners, we’re genuinely upset and disappointed not to be able to host you at this time. Moving the event allows the fleet community the most viable and comprehensive opportunity to bring everyone together, to learn, conduct business and build connections,” Early added.
NAFA is working with its partners to find a new date for the show but is aiming for late summer or early fall.
NPTC 2020: Canceled
The National Private Truck Council canceled its annual conference and exhibition, scheduled for April 26-28 in Cincinnati, was canceled on March 12.
“This decision is made in the best interest of the safety and welfare of all parties involved. It is also in response to the governor of Ohio’s State of Emergency order this week recommending that mass meetings scheduled in the state be canceled,” Gary Petty, the NPTC president and CEO, wrote in an email to attendees.
Petty said that all registration fees paid to NPTC 2020 would be refunded in-full within 60 days; exhibitors and sponsors will have the option to apply payments to the 2021 show or get a full refund.
“Details about how we will recognize the NPTC Leadership Award winners, CTP graduation Class of 2020, and Driver Hall of Fame and Fleet Safety Award winners will be made available later this month,” Petty added.
WasteExpo 2020: Rescheduled
WasteExpo, an event by Waste 360, originally scheduled for May 4-7 in New Orleans, has been rescheduled for Aug. 10-13.
“The health and safety of our WasteExpo community is our top priority,” read a message on the WasteExpo website. “The WasteExpo team is working through a comprehensive effort focusing on a managed postponement program to respond to the needs of the industry, the exhibitors, the attendees and all the other staff that work the shows during this challenging time.”
Like other event organizers, WasteExpo management spoke with its partners, exhibitors and attendees, “and the overwhelming consensus was that moving the show was the most prudent,” according to the statement. “We hope that this proactive and transparent move allows us all to conduct business in the less uncertain August timeframe.”
WasteExpo attendees will have their registrations automatically transferred to August. The organization plans to reach out directly to each exhibitor to work out summer details.
This article will be updated as any other changes are made to upcoming industry gatherings in the U.S.
