Coronavirus continues to sweep the globe by storm. To be exact, 3,526 deaths, 104,184 confirmed cases, and 98 countries and territories have been effected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Mobile World Congress, scheduled February 24-27 in Barcelona, was the first major conference to cancel. The conference expected upwards of 100,000 visitors. In a recent statement, GSMA CEO John Hoffman states, “with due regard to the safe and healthy environment in Barcelona and the host country today, the GSMA has cancelled MWC Barcelona 2020 because the global concern regarding the Coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances, make it impossible for the GSMA to hold the event”.
Since then, we have seen cancellations from many others including the week-long (March 13-22) film and music conference in Austin, TX and South By Southwest (SXSW), which saw 400,000 visitors last year. The London Book Fair (March 10-12), The World Petrochemical Conference (March 24-27) in New Orleans, Louisiana, and ProWein (March 15-17) in Dusseldorf, Germany have also canceled due to Coronavirus. The Collision Conference (June 22-25) in Toronto, Canada has decided to move to a web-based conference for 2020. Many other festivals around the world have either postponed or canceled as precautionary measures. Famous Ultra Music Festival (March 20-22) in Miami could be postponed as late as 2021.
This draws all eyes to Spannabis, which expects around 30,000 attendees. What will happen to the “World’s Biggest Cannabis Trade Show” ?
Due to global concern, Spannabis organizers head to their social media accounts to clear the air. They issue tips & warnings to patrons attending this years event via Instagram‘s story feature.
As concerns continue to arise, Spannabis issues this statement, also through the story feature on social media. This one is highlighted on their profile, unlike the previous tips & warnings. If you are not familiar with Instagram, stories are only accessible for 15 seconds, and can only be viewed for 24 hours after the user uploads it to their story, unless featured as a highlight.
In relation to the questions we are receiving about the possible cancellation of Spannabis 2020 due to the Coronavirus or its possible repercussions at the exhibition, just to clarify there is not the slightest problem.
– Spannabis
Both the Spanish health authorities and World Health Organization have reiterated that there is no reason to take action in this regard; almost all events and exhibitions are taking place without incidents and this will also be the case with Spannabis.
We are following and will follow the recommendations of the authorities.
See you in Spannabis on March 13, 14, and 15!
I am wondering what information they are receiving, because dozens of other major festivals have canceled, including Mobile World Congress. Let me remind you that this was scheduled for Feb 24-27, just 8.8 kilometres away from the site of Spannabis 2020.
A week before the event, Spannabis shares their response to the global concern on the official conference website. “For now, the Spanish health authorities and the government have declared that there is no reason to cancel events and recommend a normal life, therefore, we don’t find any case of force majeure and Spannabis will be celebrated as planned.” However, we are hearing of brands completely pulling out from the trade show. LTQ Vapors, a rosin extraction brand from China, tells Audio Kush, “because of the Coronavirus spread in Europe” that they will no longer be able to attend Spannabis. As Coronavirus deaths tolls increase over 3,500, Spannabis seems to be stuck on the idea that this is all just a fictitious media scare. “We recommend to not fall into fake news and a social alarm.” You can view the full statement for yourself below.
What will happen at Spannabis?
Only time will tell, but rest assured, Audio Kush will keep you updated.
