The organizers of ConExpo-Con/Agg have released a COVID-19/coronavirus update:
“We understand concerns about COVID-19/coronavirus are top of mind, and we want to be as transparent as possible and share information about what we are doing to prepare for the ConExpo-Con/Agg and IFPE shows in Las Vegas.
Many of our exhibitors have teams already onsite setting up for the shows, and we want to assure you of the following:
- Our top priority is focused on the health and safety of all participants at ConExpo-Con/Agg & IFPE 2020, including attendees, exhibitors, vendors, staff, industry partners, and others involved in the show.
- On the attendee side, we have had China-based registrants cancel due to the travel restrictions and, more recently, a small number of registrants from Italy and Korea. We anticipate some additional impact from international registrants in the affected countries. That said, advance registration is well ahead of the 2017 show and we anticipate 130,000+ attendees.
- We have had NO major exhibit cancellations. Most of our top exhibitors have been onsite for weeks moving in equipment and setting up their booth space. These exhibitors have been following the move-in schedule protocols and we anticipate all exhibitors will be moved in and ready for the shows’ opening day on Tuesday, March 10. Cancellations have been limited to China-based companies without U.S. operations.
- Ultimately, we encourage everyone to make responsible decisions and stay home if they are sick. Our Show Management has dedicated resources to provide quick responses to inquiries related to COVID-19. Attendees and exhibitors with questions or concerns are encouraged to email our response team at [email protected].
Please know we are committed to hosting safe and successful shows. Our top priority is focused on the health and safety of all participants at ConExpo-Con/Agg & IFPE 2020, including attendees, exhibitors, vendors, staff, industry partners, and others involved in the shows.
What is Show Management doing to prepare for the shows in regards to COVID-19?
- We are closely monitoring the news and will follow any protocols that are provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). We encourage exhibitors and attendees to take common-sense precautions by using hand sanitizer and following these guidelines set by the CDC when they are onsite at the show.
- We are working closely with all show partners including the Las Vegas Convention Center, the airport authority and hotels to ensure the safety of all show participants.
We are taking steps to address concerns by providing heightened levels of cleanliness, including:
- Working with the LVCC to ensure additional hand sanitizers will be provided throughout the shows, including Festival Grounds and Westgate.
- Providing hand sanitizers in all registration areas, media rooms, information stands, the international trade center, meeting/education spaces, workforce and VIP areas, including several areas on the show grounds.
- Providing additional hand sanitizers and cleaning protocols in all monorail stations.
- Adding staff to increase cleaning of all common areas using strong disinfectant to clean those areas used more frequently, especially tables, keyboards/screens, door handles, etc.
- Working with Centerplate concessions to ensure following of all protocols followed by the health department.
Have the shows been impacted by COVID-19?
- Some of our international exhibitors and attendees have been impacted by COVID-19 due to the travel restrictions, and the spread of the virus in China, Italy, South Korea. For the safety of everyone we are working to accommodate registration cancellations for individuals impacted by the travel ban.
- Due to the travel restrictions resulting from COVID-19, many China-based exhibitors and attendees will not be able to participate in ConExpo-Con/Agg & IFPE 2020. China-based companies with North American-based operations and staff (not impacted by the travel restrictions), will exhibit at ConExpo-Con/Agg & IFPE as planned. This includes two Wuhan-based Chinese exhibitors. One has cancelled their participation in ConExpo-Con/Agg & IFPE due to the travel restrictions. The other exhibitor has operations and staff based in Canada and will exhibit at the show as planned.
Overall, the expected cancellations of China-based exhibitors and attendees will have a very limited impact on the shows, representing less than 2% of the almost 2.7 million net sq. ft. of exhibit space and 1% of registrations. These newly available spaces will be offered to the companies on the waiting list.
We have had NO major exhibit cancellations. Most of our top exhibitors have been onsite for weeks moving in equipment and setting up their booth space. These exhibitors have been following the move-in schedule protocols and we anticipate all exhibitors will be moved in and ready for the shows’ opening day on Tuesday, March 10. Cancellations have been limited to China-based companies without U.S. operations.
What happens if someone presents flu-like symptoms at the shows?
Our first aid professional service provider will be readily available to provide medical assistance onsite to any individuals that needs medical assistance. We have five first aid stations onsite at the shows.
Will you refund my registration fee if I choose to not attend the shows?
Our attendee show rules and regulations state that we do not offer refunds for badge fees due to cancellations. However, due to the unique issue of the coronavirus and the travel restrictions, Show Management and the ConExpo-Con/Agg & IFPE Management Committees will review this as a potential exception to our show rules and regulations due to the travel restrictions. We will inform you of the final decision after the show. To make an official request for a refund, please email [email protected].
What are you doing to prevent those from high-risk areas from attending the shows?
The initial travel ban from China has restricted China-based individuals from attending the shows. In addition, the ongoing quarantines from other countries, including Italy, Japan, Korea, have also restricted individuals from attending the shows.
We are communicating to individuals from these countries that we will consider badge refunds to those impacted by the travel ban. Per our show rules and regulations, we normally do not offer refunds, but due to the unique situation of COVID-19, we will consider badge refunds to encourage those from high-risk areas to not travel to Las Vegas. All requests for refunds will be considered by the ConExpo-Con/Agg & IFPE Management committees. The committees’ recommendations are subject to review by the show owners. To make an official request for a refund, please email [email protected].
We are encouraging everyone to make responsible decisions to stay home if they are sick and to not travel if they are traveling from high-risk areas.
We are working with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the Southern Nevada Health District, and the CDC as they manage visitors to the area.
Several exhibitors have informed us that they have made the decision to not allow their staff from high-risk areas to attend the shows. We have been in contact with McCarran Airport and they have informed us that no flights from China are allowed to land at McCarren and they are following protocols set by Trump administration.”