Rebook? But When?

March 20, 2020

For some events, there is a wait-and-see attitude when it comes to a rebook, while others have postponed to late summer-early fall.

“I think the very large programs are rebooking, as they require a lot of space, hotel rooms, and general support resources, and they want to make sure they are protected going forward,” says Doug Wheeler, principal, Summit Performance Group. “As far as other smaller programs, I feel it would be their intention to rebook in the fall, but they are not ready to make that move yet. Right now, our clients are in a wait-and-see mode until the coronavirus plays out. However, should this begin to abate, we will definitely see an increase in business rebooking.”

IACC Americas Connect, scheduled for Dallas, March 30-April 1, is another rebook, postponing to June 29-July 1. IACC CEO Marc Cooper and IACC Americas President Nancy Lindemer said in a statement, “The IACC board of directors and all those involved in putting together the annual meeting, believe that Connect should be the catalyst event for our members to begin looking forward and rebuilding again once the worst of COVID-19 is behind us.”

Another group that has postponed its gathering is the National Hardware Show, which was scheduled to take place in May, and has been rescheduled for Sept. 1-3, 2020 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Now in its 75th year, the show garners more than 30,000 hardware industry professionals looking to expand inventory and source new products.

“We know how important the National Hardware Show is to our customers’ business and it is our top priority to provide a place where the hardware and home improvement industry has the ability to come together and allow business to continue,” says Randy Field, group vice president, Reed Exhibitions, when announcing the new dates. “We believe this is the right decision for our customers and the industry in general, which is a vital part of the supply chain for manufacturing and distribution of products.”

Another Las Vegas show, the International Pizza Expo, has postponed from March 31-April 2 to June 26-28.

Destinations International CEO Summit that was set for April 6-8 in Palm Springs, CA, is now scheduled for Aug. 30-Sept. 1.

Prevue, too, has rescheduled its Texas Summit to August 20-21 using the same hotel that was booked for April, Delta by Marriott in Allen, TX. This two-day Summit will zero in on best practices in the various aspects of meeting and incentive planning: contracts and negotiations, data and reporting, safety and security, and ethics.