NAMA published the following in an e-blast to membership at 4:55 p.m. CT Friday, March 20, 2020.
Dear NAMA Member:
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to provide you with an update on NAMA’s efforts to support you, our members, through this challenging time while also protecting the health and safety of everyone in our community. We are grateful to all of you for engaging with us as we grapple with the rapidly evolving situation and feel confident that we will weather this crisis together.
Today we are announcing that, given the State of Emergency declared by Nashville Mayor Cooper, the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that Americans cancel or postpone events of 10 or more people for the next eight weeks, and President Trump’s strong admonition against gatherings of more than 10 people, the 2020 NAMA Show has been cancelled. Those who are registered for the event will receive separate, specific instructions with guidance on registration and housing; similar guidance is also being issued to exhibitors.
While we all have tough decisions to make as a result of this fast-moving threat, NAMA is standing with its members, trusted partners and other stakeholders. We will continue to share information and resources about COVID-19 with you through a variety of channels and have compiled a number of useful resources. Moving ahead, we are working on innovative ways to convene the industry, support each other, and respond to your needs as they evolve.
Thank you for your patience as we worked to reach this decision. I want to stress that despite our disappointment at how this year’s NAMA Show has been impacted by global public health concerns, our foremost priority is to ensure the health and well-being of our members, their companies and their families. And we remain steadfast in our optimism on the resiliency of this great industry and the future of The NAMA Show.
For those of us who are distanced from colleagues and friends in the industry, please stay in touch and offer each other support in this challenging time.
Thank you and stay safe.
Sincerely,
Carla Balakgie
NAMA President & CEO
