Concern about the deadly worldwide coronavirus outbreak is causing organizers to reconsider upcoming events.
Here are news items compiled by STiR coffee and tea magazine.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the virus a global health emergency on Jan. 30. The virus, which officials say originated in Wuhan Province, China, is a respiratory illness that can be spread between humans.
For more information about the virus and how to protect yourself, visit the World Health Organization website.
March 4 Update
Coronavirus Fears Postpone Natural Products Expo West
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. See the full story.
Feb. 27 Update
FHA-Food & Beverage 2020 Canceled, Moved to 2021
Informa Markets has announced FHA-Food & Beverage will not take place in 2020 as planned. Instead, the event has been rescheduled for March 2-5, 2021 in Singapore.
The food and beverage gathering originally was scheduled to take place from March 31 – April 3, 2020, at Singapore Expo.
"After much deliberation with our partners and industry associations, we have concluded the new dates for FHA will provide the all-around best conditions for our community and optimal business performance for our exhibitors and buyers,” said Martyn Cox, event director. "We would like to thank you for your understanding and look forward to welcoming the international F&B community back next year, where we will continue to break new ground at the largest food and beverage showcase in Asia.”
Feb. 7 Update
Cafe Asia Postponed
Cafe Asia 2020 and the International Coffee & Tea Industry Expo, scheduled to take place this month in Singapore, has been postponed. Organizers made the decision this week "in order to safeguard the health interest of our exhibitors, trade and public visitors," according to a statement posted on the event website.
No rescheduled date has been set.
Feb. 5 Update
FHA-HoReCa Rescheduled
FHA-HoReCa, originally scheduled to take place in Singapore this March, has been postponed. The event is now scheduled for July 13-16 in Singapore.
Informa Markets, organizer of the event, made the announcement on its website.
"This decision has been reached after extensive consultation with the industry considering the challenging climate in the hospitality and foodservice equipment sectors caused by the restrictions on travel and tourism across Asia-Pacific," the online statement said. "We continue to work in partnership with the relevant government authorities and agencies and take all necessary measures in accordance with the latest advisories published by the Singapore Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Manpower."
Feb. 1 Update
Hotelex Shanghai Considers Postponement
Organizers of the Shanghai event scheduled for March 29-April 1 are looking for alternative dates at local exhibition venues in case of postponement.
The following statement was posted on the event website:
"Informa Markets and Shanghai Sinoexpo Informa Markets International Exhibition Co. Ltd. continue to closely monitor the developments of the Novel Coronavirus which first emerged from Wuhan, China in December of 2019. The safety of our customers and our staff is always our top priority. As such, we are taking precautions and safety measures as recommended by the local Departments of Health in Shanghai and China as well as the World Health Organization (WHO) seriously.
"... We continue to monitor the developing situation and remain in close communication with the relevant local government bodies and other key stakeholders. ... In the meanwhile, we are actively coordinating with the exhibition venues in Shanghai and reserving alternative time slots for our event should postponement be deemed necessary."
Jan. 30 Update
Coffee Expo Postponed
Organizers of the 2020 China Specialty Coffee Expo have postponed the event scheduled for March 18-22. The expo decision, announced Jan. 29, puts the five-day event on hold. It was to take place in Pu’er City, China.
Organizers distributed the announcement via email. It also was posted on the event website.
“The 2020 China Specialty Coffee Expo is being postponed to a later date as a result of the current coronavirus outbreak,” the announcement read. “At this time the organizers are first and foremost concerned about the safety of their employees, families and friends and the welfare of foreign visitors to China. The organizers will reschedule the Expo for a time in the near future.”
Updates will be posted on the event website.