The annual International WorkBoat Show has been canceled due
to the COVID-19 pandemic, joining the ranks of other leading maritime
conventions to move online or suspend events.
Diversified Communications, the show's organizer, said that
industry leaders' concerns about the risks of COVID-19 transmission and travel
disruption made it "impossible" to hold this year's event.
“It is with heavy hearts that we make the announcement that
we will not be holding the 2020 edition of the International WorkBoat Show,”
said Group Vice President and Show Director Bob Callahan. “After extensive
consultation with the WorkBoat community, it is clear there are too many uncertainties
about the impact Covid-19 will have on travel and mass gatherings this
December. Accordingly, it is impossible to hold a live event that would provide
an experience that our community would find valuable.”
The pandemic has taken a heavy toll on trade shows of all
kinds, including the maritime industry's conference circuit. Among many other
affected events, Seatrade Cruise Global was delayed, then canceled and moved
online; the biannual Posidonia show in Greece was rescheduled, then canceled
for the year; and the Connecticut Maritime Association (CMA) show opted to go
online, merging its conference lineup with SHIPPINGInsight.
Like other organizers, Diversified has decided to keep the
WorkBoat Show's panel talks and presentations in an online format, and will
produce them as a 12-part webinar series. The first will be held on December
10.
Diversified Communications' president, Mary Larkin, also
serves as president of international trade show industry association UFI. She
recently signed a call for governments to favor "testing over
quarantine" in order to start in-person trade shows and similar businesses
going once more.
"Rapid antigen Covid-19 tests are reliable and becoming
widely available. These Rapid Tests provide the best solution for creating a
safe environment to hold managed business events. We call on governments and
authorities to follow a 'testing before quarantine' approach for business
related travel and activities," wrote UFI. "Combined with the
existing safety measures around events, this will create a safe and reliable
framework for business professionals to engage, and can overcome the current
impasse that is causing additional economic damage every day. As a sector, we
stand ready to implement rapid testing processed around our organised
events."