By Dan Bolton
Contagion fears led organizers of Natural Products Expo West on March 3 to indefinitely postpone the event less than a day before opening at the Anaheim Convention Center.
Show organizers New Hope Network anticipated that global travel restrictions following the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) would lower attendance 40-60%. During the past week, their plans were further compounded by the declaration of a health emergency by local government and health officials. Still, executives at the Boulder, Colo. firm were steadfast in proceeding as the Mar. 3 opening date neared.
On Monday, a trickle of exhibitor cancellations that began last week swelled to more than 200 firms. Several multi-nationals, including General Mills and Nestlé, decided not to exhibit. Buyers from major retailers, including Whole Foods Market, were prohibited from travel by their employers and attendees began demanding refunds or credits toward Natural Products Expo East scheduled for Sept. 23-26 in Philadelphia.
The abrupt decision focused attention on the Specialty Coffee Association's upcoming show April 23-26 in Portland, Ore. The event is preceded by the Re:co Symposium April 22-23. Discussions are underway to assess the risks, both financial and to attendees, of hosting the event. Many coffee and tea exhibitors showcase new products at the event. Postponements can lead to costly marketing and stocking setbacks during the launch phase.
Oregon confirmed its first case of coronavirus at Forest Hills Elementary School near Portland. Two more cases in Oregon were recently confirmed by The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC). CDC counts 105 U.S. cases with nine deaths, a number expected to climb significantly during the week as more than 1 million ill people are tested.
The latest count globally is 93,000 confirmed covid-19 cases, with more than 3,000 deaths. Cases outside China rose to 12,710, increasing 22% on Mar. 2.
New Hope president Fred Linder, in a release, said his staff “will be working closely with all our customers and partners across the industry to identify a new date for the show later in the year.”
During the past 10 days, global gatherings of the automobile industry, garment industry, gaming, and technology events, as well as many food and beverage and foodservice events were canceled or postponed.