ANNAPOLIS, Md.—NAHAD has canceled its upcoming annual meeting and convention for hose and accessories distributors and manufacturers because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The group made the decision March 13 after a conference call of the Executive Committee of the Annapolis-based association. The meeting was scheduled for April 24-29 at the Atlantis Paradise Island hotel in Nassau, Bahamas.
"This is not a decision we made lightly, and I promise you that NAHAD's leadership has spent countless hours wrestling with making the right decision for the benefit of our members and the association," Molly Alton Mullins, NAHAD executive vice president, said in a letter to members posted on the group's website.
She said many factors went into the decision, including financial implications. "There are significant financial liabilities associated with canceling a convention and we have been weighing all our options to determine the best possible course of action," Mullins said. "We are fortunate that NAHAD is in sound financial position, but canceling the Annual Meeting and Convention does come with significant costs."
She said that the Atlantis has offered alternative dates of Aug. 29-Sept. 2 to hold the convention. But before any decision is made, she asked that NAHAD members fill out a brief online.
The survey asks three questions: If they were registered for or planning to attend the upcoming annual convention in the Bahamas; whether they would attend the show at the same venue Aug. 29-Sept. 2; and if they attend the convention on that date, whether or not that would impact their decision to attend the next annual convention, scheduled for April 10-13, 2021, in San Diego.
If the membership overwhelmingly supports the rescheduled dates, NAHAD will put out information on the steps involved in transferring registrations and hotel rooms. But if the membership doesn't support the new date, NAHAD will cancel the convention and move forward for the 2021 event.
"I have fielded hundreds of calls and emails this past week and everyone's support and understanding has been incredible," Mullins said. "We are all in this together and I wish you, your families and your businesses a speedy recovery."