The 2020 Canadian Produce Marketing Association convention and trade show is canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The show had been slated for May 12-14 in Toronto, Ontario.
Based on recommendations of municipal, provincial and federal governments regarding large gatherings, the CPMA board of directors and 2020 CPMA convention and trade show organizing committee took the action, according to a March 20 news release.
The health and safety of attendees and the public was the primary driver, according to CPMA officials.
The coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak has stricken 260,000 worldwide, and just less 1,000 in Canada, according the case tracker at the Johns Hopkins website.
“The produce industry looks forward to gathering at Canada’s largest event for the produce sector – the CPMA convention and trade show,” Oleen Smethurst, chair of the CPMA board of directors, said in the release. “The CPMA board of directors has made the right decision to cancel this event. The health of our global community is our top priority and we fully support government efforts to eliminate the transmission of COVID-19.”
Mario Masellis, chair of the 2020 CPMA convention and trade show organizing Committee, thanked the event’s organizing committee for their work. “We look forward to the 2021 CPMA Convention and Trade Show in Vancouver, B.C.,” Masellis said in the release.
CPMA has a resource and update page on COVID-19.
The release said exhibitors, sponsors and attendees who have already paid will have the following options:
- Carry forward booth purchases and sponsorships to the 2021 CPMA Convention and Trade Show in Vancouver, B.C., with 100% of payments to date being transferred to the 2021 CPMA convention and trade show;
- CPMA will be offering 100% refunds on ticket sales, including full delegate passes, trade show only passes, retail tour, chair’s welcome reception, companion program, after party, and CPMA annual banquet;
- CPMA is offering refunds of 80% to any exhibitors or sponsors wishing to cancel their participation in the 2020 CPMA convention and trade show (fees, expenses and penalties have been incurred for advanced preparations that prevent CPMA from refunding the full amount); and
- CPMA will be contacting exhibitors and registrants over the next few weeks about their options, according to the release.
“CPMA is committed to offering our members, and Convention and Trade Show exhibitors and registrants, a positive and memorable Convention and Trade Show experience and this will continue as we execute the transition from our 2020 event to our 2021 event in Vancouver,” Ron Lemaire, CPMA president said in the release. “At this time, we are also actively engaged at all hours with government officials across various sectors with implications on the produce industry to ensure the continued flow of produce throughout the supply chain.”
The CPMA annual general meeting, traditionally conducted as part of the convention and trade show agenda, will be changed to a virtual meeting, with the details sent to members as soon as they are confirmed, according to the release.
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