The HD Expo + Conference, HITEC San Antonio and New York Boutique Hotel Investment Conference—all originally slated for this May and June—have either been postponed to the fall or canceled.
HD Expo + Conference
The HD Expo + Conference canceled its 2020 event. The event was originally scheduled for May 5 to 7 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Next year’s event is slated for May 4 to 6. Hospitality Design still plans on holding other HD events scheduled for later this year and is currently investigating virtual and digital options as well.
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Stacy Shoemaker Rauen, editor-in-chief of Hospitality Design and SVP of Emerald, and Kevin Gaffney, group show director for HD Expo and VP of Emerald, explained the decision in an announcement posted on the HD Expo website.
“This is due to recent developments regarding COVID-19 that include, but are not limited to, the declaration of a national state of emergency by President Trump, the Nevada state of emergency announced by Governor Steve Sisolak, the latest measures, including travel restrictions placed on foreign nationals traveling to the United States from certain EU member states and other places, the declaration by the [World Health Organization] of COVID-19 as a pandemic, and the accelerating pace of confirmed cases worldwide and domestically,” they said. “In addition, the current quarantines, containment areas and the restrictions on congregating and large gatherings imposed by states and other government and public health authorities, various company-imposed travel restrictions on employees affecting attendees and participating companies, and the resulting cancellations made by several key HD Expo + Conference customers and partners."
HITEC San Antonio
On Wednesday, HITEC announced its decision to postpone its San Antonio conference to Oct. 26-29. The event, originally scheduled for June 15-18, still will take place in San Antonio at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.
New York Boutique Hotel Investment Conference
On March 12, Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association sent out a message signed by CEO/founder Frances Kiradjian postponing the annual New York Boutique Hotel Investment Conference. Originally scheduled for June 3, the event now is slated to take place Nov. 10.