The Materials Show Postponed Over Coronavirus Concerns
Click here to read the full article.
Concerns over the deadly coronavirus outbreak that originated in China has led to the postponement of two trade shows produced by American Events.
In an email obtained by FN, founder Hisham Muhareb announced that American Events will suspend the NE Materials Show scheduled for Feb. 5 and Feb. 6 in Boston as well as the NW Materials Show scheduled Feb. 12 and Feb. 13 in Portland, Ore. Both events were expected to attract scores of attendees from China. The decision, according to the company, was borne of fears about the spread of the coronavirus, which has infected more than 17,300 people globally and killed at least 362.
More from Footwear News
“Our hearts and thoughts are with our friends and colleagues in China and elsewhere who are directly affected by the coronavirus,” Muhareb and his wife, Kari, wrote. “We are committed to the safety of our clients and partners. We apologize for any inconvenience and will share updates once we are able to reschedule these events.”
Industry leaders continue to keep a close eye on China in the wake of the outbreak, which was elevated last week to a public health emergency of international concern.
Although the Première Vision Sports Show will be held as planned on Feb. 12 and Feb. 13, the organizing team said that it regrets being unable to host attendees and partners coming from China: “Due to the recent decision of the U.S. Department of Health, we feel very sorry we cannot welcome our Chinese friends for this edition.”
The activewear-focused event was expected to take place in partnership with The Materials Show, the biannual fair devoted to high-performance footwear and its associated materials and components. With more than 500 exhibitors and 2,000 attendees annually, the show has been known to attract brands like Nike, New Balance and Timberland.
“Despite the postponement of the NW Materials Show, and after very careful consideration, our decision has been to go ahead with our event — in the firm desire to support all the human and financial investments you have already put in place to promote your collections and further your business development,” the Première Vision team wrote.
Want more?
The Materials Show Preps for Major Debut in Europe in May
Sustainability and Smart Tech Dominate the NE Materials Show
Première Vision Makes Major U.S. Move, Set to Launch New Sports Show in Portland
Sign up for FN's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
