Multiple cannabis and hemp business conferences have been postponed due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, including the NoCo Hemp Expo in Denver, Colorado; the group’s planned Southern Hemp Expo; and the National Cannabis Risk Management Association in Las Vegas, Nevada. The announcements mark at least the fourth or fifth cannabis industry events to be affected by the spreading COVID-19 virus.
The NoCo Hemp Expo has been rescheduled for August, while new dates for the Southern Hemp Expo and the NCRMA have not yet been announced. Colorado’s Hemp Expo is in its seventh year, while the Southern Hemp Expo, originally scheduled for August in Nashville, Tennessee, is in its third year.
Morris Beegle, producer of NoCo Hemp Expo, said “the decision to shift the timing… has not been an easy one” and that organizers are also “exploring options for a potential digital conference.”
“The health and safety of all participants remains a top priority. We want to provide attendees, exhibitors, vendors, staff, industry partners, and others involved in the Expo enough time to rework their schedules and plan accordingly for the newly announced August dates. … We look forward to creating a robust, powerhouse event in August and appreciate everyone’s support.” – Beegle in a press release
In Nevada, NCRMA chairman Rocco Petrilli said in a press release, “Our responsibilities as a risk manager transcend our passion and desire to bring our membership together.”
“Though we are disappointed to have to postpone our event, as our leadership continued to monitor the developments, it became abundantly clear that this was the correct course of action,” Petrilli said. “Our hearts go out to families and communities that have been affected by the COVID-19. We hope our decision will help reduce the spread of this virus.”
Last week, Expo West organizers announced at the last minute they were postponing the event, which was planned in Anaheim, California on March 3-7 – they have not announced a new date. CannTech and PsyTech organizers also said last week that they had pushed back both of the events, set for Tel Aviv, Israel, to June.
NoCo said they are following Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization protocols for the situation and are collaborating with their partners, including the National Western Complex – where the event will be held – the Denver Coronavirus Task Force, and Gov. Jared Polis’ office, on the changes.
The CDC released coronavirus guidelines for mass gatherings and large events last week.
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