Hotel Business is tracking industry shows and conferences impacted by COVID-19. Here’s the recent news surrounding the pandemic. Hotel Business will update this with more news as it breaks:
NYU Conference Rescheduled
The 42nd Annual NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference originally scheduled for June has been postponed. The new dates selected by the Executive Planning Committee are November 11-12, 2020, to be held at New York City’s Marriott Marquis.
GBTA Announces New Dates for Annual Convention
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Convention was scheduled to take place in Denver on July 25-29, 2020. The convention has been moved to Nov. 7-11, 2020.
“This is the first time in GBTA’s 52-year history of Convention that we have had to reschedule our signature event,” said Scott Solombrino, COO/executive director, GBTA. “This unprecedented move comes in unprecedented times. We are all working to ensure the safety of business travelers and their families. We are hopeful that the pandemic will subside on a global level and that we will be able to help travel managers and sponsors determine how best to revive the industry when we meet in November.”
CHRIS & HOLA Postponed
The Caribbean Hotel and Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) and Hotel Opportunities Latin America (HOLA) have both been postponed. CHRIS will now take place Sept. 8-9, 2020, immediately followed by HOLA, Sept. 9-11, 2020, both at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL.
Meet the Money 2020 Canceled
National finance and investment conference Meet the Money, which was set for May 4-6 in Los Angeles, has been canceled.
Organizers released the following statement: “While we are disappointed to miss the 30th year of our event, we are committed to protecting the health and safety of our attendees, speakers and sponsors, and feel this is the best way to do so. All registration fees will be refunded, and registrants will receive further information from our team directly.”
HD Expo Canceled
HD Expo + Conference, which had been scheduled for May 5-7, 2020, at Mandalay Bay Las Vegas, has been officially canceled.
“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 WHO of COVID-19 as a pandemic, and the accelerating pace of confirmed cases worldwide and domestically,” organizers said in a statement. “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.”
“These developments have made it impossible to effectively execute a May event that delivers the level of education, connection and customer value our community expects. Driven by our responsibility to ensure the best interests of our hospitality design community, we have made the difficult decision to cancel HD Expo + Conference for 2020. We hope you will join us for the next HD Expo + Conference, scheduled for May 4-6, 2021, where we will pull our great community together again and finally unveil the reimagined show we have been working on for the past year.”
HITEC San Antonio Postponed
In light of the worldwide uncertainty stemming from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the North American Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) has been rescheduled to Oct. 26-29, 2020. In addition, the co-located HSMAI ROC Americas will take place Oct. 26-27.
Produced by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), the 48-year hospitality technology event is traditionally held annually in June. At this time, HFTP has determined to take a proactive approach by rescheduling for later this year to allow time for group gatherings to be safe once again, as well as give attendees and the hospitality businesses they represent some space to focus and strategize on their economic recovery.
“The hospitality technology community depends on HITEC to meet, share ideas and gain knowledge on the latest industry developments,” said HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe. “HFTP feels it would be a disservice to the industry to outright cancel HITEC in 2020; this type of interactivity is crucial for our stakeholders to build back business. Thus, we have committed to still produce HITEC this year with a shift in timing. Hospitality professionals will be able to discuss how best to use technology to accommodate efficiencies, while exhibitors will be able to work with their customers to meet these strategies.”
HSMAI ROC, where hotel revenue leaders unite for education, collaboration and innovation at the world’s largest gathering of revenue professionals in the travel industry, will have its main program at the convention center in San Antonio on Monday, Oct. 26th, with Tuesday, Oct. 27th, including HSMAI Chief Revenue Officer roundtables, CRME and CHDM review courses and Partner Insights sessions.
“HSMAI’s ROC has become the essential place corporate revenue leaders from over 120 unique hotel brands, management companies and ownership groups convene to discuss emerging trends and issues that directly impact the revenue and profitability of the hotel industry,” said Robert A. Gilbert, president/CEO of HSMAI. “This year, more than ever, it is vital that these thought leaders have the opportunity to come together to understand how to navigate the current landscape and lead the recovery of the hotel industry. We are thankful that we have been able to work together with HFTP to reschedule this year’s ROC to bring together the community of revenue leaders.”
AAHOA Reschedules 2020 Convention & Trade Show
The 2020 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show is being rescheduled to August 9-12. It will still be held in Orlando, FL, at the Orange County Convention Center.
“AAHOA is committed to bringing America’s hoteliers, our industry partners, and the hospitality industry the best possible convention and trade show,” said Cecil P. Staton, president/CEO, AAHOA. “The travel and tourism industry is facing uncertain times as the public’s perception of the risks posed by COVID-19 become the reality for America’s hoteliers. AAHOA members are reporting that occupancy, RevPAR and ADR are in distress. Hoteliers and our partners need this time to tend to their businesses as the travel and tourism industry adjusts to this new reality. Earlier this week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in response to the growing threat of COVID-19. Just today he called on the state’s cities and counties to postpone or cancel mass gatherings.”
He added, “While we are obviously disappointed in this turn of events, we are confident that rescheduling the convention is the right decision for our members, industry partners and our association.
New York Boutique Hotel Investment Conference Rescheduled for November
BLLA and StayBoutique are following recent developments around COVID-19. The decision has been made to reschedule the annual New York Boutique Hotel Investment Conference from June 3, 2020, to Nov. 10, 2020, as the situation is monitored.
Independent Hotel Show Postponed to June
Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam will no longer take place between March 17-18 as planned. The show has instead been postponed to June 24-25 at RAI Amsterdam, due to COVID-19 cases across the Netherlands and the announcement by the World Health Organization that COVID-19 is now labeled a pandemic.
All Aboard Design Rescheduled for December
In light of the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S., Next Events has postponed All Aboard Design, a one-to-one matchmaking experience aboard the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line until later this year. Originally planned for March 12-16, the cruise will now set sail Dec. 7-11 2020.
All Aboard Design offers suppliers intimate meetings with pre-qualified, active buyers including interior designers and architects responsible for specifying products, along with hotel owners and operators, and procurement companies in an exclusive setting. The event spans a four-night itinerary and includes two days of one-on-one meetings aboard the cruise. During the day, leisure activities allow guests to connect with destinations amid the backdrop of the beauty that lies in the Caribbean ocean and landscape.
“All Aboard Design provides an intimate, exciting and relaxing environment for everyone,” said Michael Schneider, president/CEO of Next Events. “Our participants are welcome to bring loved ones to enjoy the ship amenities, cruise and large group leisure activities (e.g. sail, snorkel, and beach excursions). All Aboard Design gives decision-makers the opportunity to forge new relationships and close high-value sales within an exotic and beautiful destination.”
