Because the Omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to surge, the North American Meat Institute (NAMI) and FMI – The Meals Business Affiliation introduced on Wednesday the cancellation of the 2022 Annual Meat Convention (AMC) “out of respect for the well being of our communities and because of the consideration and consideration our respective members are placing into their operations,” in keeping with the teams.
The occasion had been scheduled for Feb. 7-9 in Washington, D.C.
“The aim of AMC is to deliver collectively retailers and the meat and poultry trade,” stated NAMI president and CEO Julie Anna Potts. “Just like the meat and poultry trade, lots of our companions in retail are experiencing important operational and provide chain challenges. At the moment, attending an in-person convention is tough which diminishes the worth of the occasion for all contributors.”
FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin added, “Our neighborhood is prioritizing the well being of its folks and operations in order that we can proceed to serve the consumer, however we’re dedicated to sharing extra class insights with our audiences all year long.”
A full refund will likely be issued to all attendees, exhibitors and sponsors, and occasion coordinators will cancel resort reservations on behalf of registered attendees.
Whereas the in-person occasion is canceled, NAMI and FMI, in partnership with Sealed Air, will host a digital dialogue collection concerning the annual Energy of Meat evaluation, often launched through the present. The kickoff to this three-part collection will likely be hosted starting Feb. 7. Registration info will likely be obtainable by way of the convention web site and in a follow-up communication to beforehand registered attendees. The evaluation may even be obtainable totally free to members of NAMI, FMI and beforehand registered attendees.
Subsequent yr’s Meat Convention has been scheduled for March 6-8, 2023, on the Hilton Anatole in Dallas.
The announcement got here simply days after FMI introduced it will “pause” its upcoming Midwinter Govt Convention, scheduled for Jan. 21-24 in Orlando, within the face of rising issues about COVID-19 and the surging Omicron variant. Earlier in January, the Non-public Label Producers Affiliation canceled its annual commerce present scheduled for this month, and this week introduced plans to launch the digital PLMA World occasion in March.
Different trade occasions scheduled for the following few months are nonetheless happening as deliberate, together with the Nationwide Grocers Affiliation annual commerce present slated for Feb. 27-March 1 in Las Vegas, Pure Merchandise Expo West (March 8-12 in Anaheim, Calif.), Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America (March 13-15 in Boston) and Shoptalk (March 27-30 in Las Vegas).
