Organisers of the International Fastener Expo have cancelled this year's event in response to recent developments surrounding the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
The show, which was due to take place 28-30 September at the Mandalay Convention Centre in Las Vegas, will no longer go ahead in light of the latest government data, measures and guidelines on phased reopening plans in the US.
In a notice to exhibitors, the organisers also cited the number of worldwide and domestic confirmed cases, current quarantines, restrictions on congregation and containment areas as further reasons why the show couldn't go ahead.
The statement from Morgan Wilson, IFE Show Manager, also highlighted the inability of IFE's international community to travel to the show due to travel restrictions and bans, and the various company-imposed travel restrictions on employees affecting attendees and participating companies.
"Recent developments have made it impossible to bring our community together safety and successfully," the statement read. "The health and safety of our customers, partners and employees remains of paramount concern to us."
In an attempt to fill the gap left in the absence of the physical event, the IFE team is in the process of launching IFE Online Experience; a digital platform for meeting customers, accessing a proven match-making programme, and learning from industry leaders about current trends.
The International Fastener Expo is confirmed to return to the Mandalay Bay next year, 21-23 September 2021.
Over on the West Coast, STAFDA's 44th annual convention and trade show due to take place in Anaheim in November, cancelled just last week due to a spike on coronavirus cases in the state.
