IPMA Cancels 2020 Conference

With its conference scheduled for June 7- 11, the In-plant Printing and Mailing Association (IPMA) was holding out hope that the global COVID-19 pandemic would fade away before then. But with cases continuing to rise, and the date creeping closer, the association announced today that, for the first time in its 55-year history, it would cancel its conference, which was supposed to take place at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs, Fla.

The cancelation of the largest in-plant gathering in the world is a blow to the in-plant industry, which craves the peer networking at events like this. Last year’s conference drew more than 200 attendees to Louisville, Ky.

“Protecting the health, safety and well-being of our members, vendors, staff and attendees is paramount and is the reason for our decision to cancel for the first time in our association’s history,” wrote IPMA President Sherri Isbell in an email to members. “We recognize canceling our educational gathering and vendor fair impacts individual attendees from all over the United States. We know this is disappointing and challenging from a planning perspective.  If you are already registered for this year’s conference and/or booked a room at the Hyatt, you will be personally contacted by a member of our staff with further information and helpful options.”

IPMA has already selected the next three locations for its Annual Educational Conference and Vendor Fair, including the June 6-10, 2021, venue, which will be announced soon. IPMA plans to make some of the session content planned for its 2020 conference available in the weeks ahead via webinars or video conferences as part of its mission to guide, educate and support all in-plants.