Natural Products Expo West postponed due to coronavirus concerns
On March 2, New Hope made the decision to postpone the Natural Products Expo West, scheduled to kick off the very next day, March 3, due to continued concerns and fears surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
On March 2, New Hope made the decision to postpone the Natural Products Expo West, scheduled to kick off the very next day, March 3, due to continued concerns and fears surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. What began in a limited area of China in November 2019 has since spread to 72 other countries and infected 90,870 people globally, according to the World Health Organization’s latest situation report.
“The show was in-flight, with production underway, when the views of the community started to diverge,” explained New Hope in a press statement. “Some of our partners strongly advocated continuing with the show as planned. Some of our partners wanted the show, but not now, and some just wanted a straightforward cancellation.
“It is now clear, despite continued advice from local government and health authorities that the City of Anaheim remains open, that the majority of our community want the show, but they do not want it now,” continued the company in its statement.
A new date for Natural Products Expo West will be announced by mid-April, with the hope to reschedule the event before the summer either in Anaheim, Calif., or a suitable alternative location. The company announced plans to work with exhibitors and attendees on future credits and support and said it was going to set up a rebate fund of $5 million targeted to the specific needs of affected entrepreneurs and small business operators.