The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) has cancelled its national convention scheduled for late April as growing concerns over the coronavirus pandemic stifle business travel and halt large gatherings.
The Washington, D.C.-based trade group cancelled its annual convention and exposition, scheduled for 25-30 April in Las Vegas, Nevada, this morning in a letter to industry members.
The annual meeting, the largest recycling convention in the world, typically draws more than 5,000 industry attendees involved in recycling scrap metal, plastic, paper and other material.
"Given that the World Health Organization officially deemed this a pandemic, and in light of the many states declaring an emergency along with associated closures and curtailments of normal daily life, it is impossible for ISRI to hold the convention as planned," ISRI chair Brian Shine said.
The trade group is in the process of reviewing alternatives to the conference, including new dates or venues, as well as different methods of information delivery. Key conferences in other industries and commodity groups have hosted video teleconference instead of in person under the current circumstances.
The US has confirmed 1,310 cases and 38 deaths in 45 states and the District of Columbia from the coronavirus.
The US administration has placed sweeping travel restrictions on arrivals from 28 European countries, aside from the UK, effective at midnight on 13 March.
By Brad MacAulay
