MACLEAN, VIRGINIA — The American Cochlear Implant Alliance (ACIA) announced this week that it has decided to cancel the planned CI2020 International Conference, which was to take place from March 18-21 in Orlando, Florida.
“As members of the global community, we recognize the challenge this outbreak is placing on the medical community. Given the rapid evolution and uncertainty surrounding the transmission of COVID-19 and the travel restrictions being enacted by a large and growing number of universities, hospitals and other institutions which have prohibited both international and domestic US travel as well as attendance at meetings, ACI Alliance Leadership have made the difficult but responsible decision to cancel the CI2020 meeting. Given the circumstances, it was impossible for the conference to go forward.”
The CI2020 conference joins a number of other high profile events across the US, which have subsequently been canceled due to concerns over the coronavirus (COVID-19). Including:
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology in Philadelphia. (It had been scheduled for March 13-16.)
- American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry in San Antonio, Texas. (It had been scheduled for March 13-16.)
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America in San Antonio, Texas. (It had been scheduled for March 19-22.)
- American Academy of Dermatology in Denver. (It had been scheduled for March 20-24.)
- Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America in Atlanta. (It had been scheduled for March 26-30.)
- American College of Cardiology in Chicago. (It had been scheduled for March 28-30.) The group is planning to provide “essential ACC.20/WCC education and science directly to our members” through virtual means.
- Endocrine Society in San Francisco. (It had been scheduled for March 28-31.)
AAA Conference “Will Take Place as Planned”
According to a request for comment, AAA representatives tell Hearing News Watch that the AAA 2020 + HearTECH Expo will take place as planned, April 1-4, in New Orleans.
The organization is “watching closely for new developments around the Novel Coronavirus (COVID19 or 2019-nCoV) to keep the Academy community apprised of the latest updates, including any changes in our cancellation policy as a result of CDC/Federal Agency recommendations”.
According to the latest statement posted on the AAA website:
AAA 2020 + HearTECH Expo will take place as planned on April 1-4 in New Orleans. As the unprecedented situation with COVID-19 is changing every day, we remain watchful but also focused on delivering what is an extremely important event for the hearing healthcare community. We are grateful for the ongoing support of our exhibitors and attendees who continue to register and plan for the show, and we’ve not experienced any substantial impacts thus far. The Academy team continues to plan confidently for the show. We currently do no plan to postpone or cancel.
The Academy will continue to monitor events and guidance from the CDC, WHO, and other agencies. We feel that it is our collective responsibility to rely on the advice of the relevant authorities and scientists to act with common sense and sound judgement. At present, we would only cancel AAA 2020 + HearTECH if directed by the authorities.
The health and safety of our attendees is the Academy’s number one priority. We will communicate safety and travel updates to attendees as they may relate to the conference. We are working closely with the hotels, convention center, and the CVB to put extra precautions in place for disinfection and antibacterial measures.
We are also asking HearTECH Expo exhibitors to regularly disinfect and otherwise clean equipment that is used by multiple attendees and encouraging attendees and exhibitors to follow regular CDC guidance for everyday preventive actions to help mitigate the spread of respiratory viruses of any kind including regular hand washing and a no handshaking policy at the event.
With this in mind, we hope you will continue to plan for AAA 2020 + HearTECH Expo as usual and with confidence. We believe it is only with the industry pulling together and continuing to plan in such a way that we will be able to fulfill our responsibility of delivering a successful meeting.
The organization asks that people check back on it’s page regularly for updates, which can be accessed here: AAA2020 Travel and Health Information
Source: ACIA, AAA
