The global outbreak of coronavirus has led to the cancellation of 2020 International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) Natural Refrigeration Conference & Heavy Equipment Expo, informed IIAR in a release. The event was supposed to focus on natural refrigerants in the industrial and commercial sectors.
IIAR joins a growing list of HVACR organisations worldwide that have cancelled trade gatherings over the coronavirus. The IIAR Conference had been scheduled to take place March 15-18 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel and Convention Center in Orlando, Florida (US). Last year’s conference in Phoenix, Arizona (US) had over 1,700 in attendance, according to the IIAR website.
IIAR had indicated its intention this week to proceed with the event but changed course on March 11 after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared that the coronavirus was a worldwide pandemic. “Given this significant announcement from the World Health Organization, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the conference this year,” said Dave Rule, President, IIAR in a message emailed to registered conference attendees.
“We trust that all of you will understand this decision and support your IIAR organization as the Executive Committee and Board of Directors begins to deal with this dramatic event,” he added.
IIAR’s Executive Committee had begun developing plans “to address appropriate measures moving forward,” said Rule. “Further information concerning the cancellation of the IIAR Conference will be available over the course of the next few weeks,” Rule said, adding, “We request your patience and support as the IIAR Staff and management deal with these issues.”
Elsewhere in the world, two other HVAC&R industry trade shows scheduled in March were cancelled, Mostra Convegno Expocomfort (rescheduled to September 8-11) in Italy and HVAC&R Japan. HVACR Live, scheduled to take place April 20-22 in London, was postponed till the spring of 2021. In addition, the ARBS (Air Conditioning, Refrigeration Building Services) 2020 exhibition in Melbourne, Australia, scheduled for May 19‐21, has been postponed.
