Idaho potato group cancels Sun Valley convention

The Idaho Grower Shipper Association has cancelled its 92nd annual convention due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event was scheduled for Sept. 2-4 in Sun Valley, Idaho. It’s just the second time the annual potato convention has been cancelled; the 1945 convention was cancelled because of “war conditions,” according to an Aug. 3 statement from the Idaho Grower Shippers Association’s executive committee.

“While we have optimistically pushed forward with our preparations for the event, recent days have brought new concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic to our state and our industry’s businesses,” according to the release. “ … We know that this announcement will be received with disappointment, but please understand that this decision comes after much discussion and input from the industry, state leaders, local health officials, and the Sun Valley staff.”

The statement said the group didn’t have the confidence that had the event continued, even with safety measures in place, it would have delivered the “exceptional experience that defines the IGSA Convention.”

Some attendees still plan to visit the Sun Valley Resort, where the event is scheduled every year, according to the statement. The resort will honor the association’s discounted room rates for Aug. 31-Sept. 5.

Details about sponsorship and registration refunds and/or credits will be made available later, according to the statement.

For more coverage on how the COVID-19 pandmic has affected the industry, see The Packer's COVID-19 webpage.

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