IPW 2020 has been cancelled

American Flag Flying

United States inbound travel tradeshow IPW 2020 has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event, run by the US Travel Association and backed by premier sponsor Visit The USA, was due to be held in Las Vegas from 30 May to 3 June.

However, following a “thorough decision-making process” where every viable option to proceed was explored, the event’s organisers have announced IPW 2020’s cancellation.

“We are saddened that circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic including global travel restrictions, flight reductions, mandated social distancing and stay-at-home orders both in the US and abroad have made this year’s event impossible to execute,” IPW general manager Malcolm Smith said in a statement.

“While the challenges of this moment are obviously being felt in every corner of the world, it’s clear the travel community is being especially hard-hit.

“It is deeply unfortunate that this year’s IPW will not provide us the opportunity to gather and forge a path forward together.”

Smith advised that the organisers of the event would update its delegates on the process for credits and refunds in relation to investments, as well as additional information for the 2021 event, soon.

“Until we are able to convene again face-to-face at IPW, we are exploring ways to keep our industry connected and engaged,” he said.

For up-to-date information on IPW’s process for refunds and credits, keep your eyes on this page over the coming week.

Large- to small-scale events have been forced to cancel on a global scale as a result of the health impacts of COVID-19 and the associated travel and social distancing restrictions enforced by nations around the world, to arrest the spread of the potentially deadly novel virus.

Among them was the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which revealed that for the first time in 70 years it would be forced to postpone.

Further large-scale event cancellations include the likes of IMEX FrankfurtSXSWITB Berlin, and Australia’s ATE20 event.

Featured image credit: iStock/Ryan Herron

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