UPDATE: 12:20 p.m. EST, March 9, 2020
Exhibits that were previously canceled by Volvo will now be on display at ConExpo-Con despite the company announcing it would withdraw from the convention last week.
The company has decided it would not be possible to remove the equipment and dismantle the booth in Las Vegas before the show begins. One of the largest exhibitors at the convention will fill 60,000-square-feet of show floor space despite previously withdrawing.
“At this point in preparations it would not be possible for Volvo CE to remove the equipment and dismantle the booth before the show begins,” Volvo CE said in a statement. “Instead, a small number of locally hired independent staff will remain on the site for the duration of the show.”
Sigalarm has been following concerns about COVID-19 coronavirus and the upcoming ConExpo-CON/AGG 2020 in Las Vegas closely. We want to assure attendees that despite international concerns, Sigalarm will be attending the convention on March 10-14 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Sigalarm is focused on keeping our team members and customers safe at all times. We are taking strict precautions to protect against coronavirus. As an American-based company, we do not feel that our participation in the event presents any danger to our team.
Several ConExpo exhibitors and attendees withdrew due to travel restrictions due to the spread of the virus in China, Italy, and South Korea. These decisions to withdraw cannot be easy for any company. We understand the weight of withdrawing from such a major convention. However, over 90% of the convention exhibitors remain intact. We expect the convention to be the largest in its history.
ConExpo has released an update addressing the coronavirus and its effect on the conference. The coronavirus is spread primarily through infected respiratory droplets and touching surfaces with the virus on it. ConExpo is taking precautions to keep its convention clean.
ConExpo Show Management is encouraging a “no handshake” policy at the site of the convention. They will also be providing buttons and stickers to attendees. The management team is working with the Las Vegas Convention Center to provide hand sanitizers throughout the convention. This includes shows, festival grounds, meeting spaces, registration areas, media rooms, and information stands.
The management team will also have staff cleaning common areas with strong disinfectant, especially tables, door handles, and hands-on technology.
Everyone attending ConExpo is asked to make responsible decisions and stay home if they are sick and cannot safely travel, or if they are traveling from high-risk areas. Several exhibitors have not permitted staff from high-risk areas to attend the event. Visitors to the conference will be monitored by the South Nevada Health District and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
The ConExpo staff is closely monitoring additional news. They will follow any protocols from the CDC and the World Health Organization. The expo is still expecting well over 100,000 attendees at this year’s event.
On Thursday, Volvo Construction announced that all business areas within the Volvo Group have withdrawn their participation in next week’s ConExpo-CON/AGG. Volvo Construction Equipment had one of the largest booths in the Festival Grounds, totaling at more than 60,000 sq. ft.
This decision came after a state of emergency was declared in Washington, Florida, and California on Wednesday. Cases of the virus continues to spread across America.
“We are great supporters of ConExpo, and despite being in advanced preparations for this year’s event, we believe it is the right thing to do to withdraw at this late stage. Our first concern is the wellbeing of employees, customers, and the wider public,” said Melker Jernberg, Executive VP and President of Volvo CE. “It’s very disappointing not to be attending, but our first priority is the health and safety of our employees and others.”
These decisions come with significant financial costs and the ripple effect on its employees packed into the decision to withdraw from the conference. But it’s a decision several companies have made in an effort to prioritize the safety of their staff. These companies include Michelin, Platform Basket, Parker Hannifin, Eaton, Danfoss, and Sun Hydraulics.
Sigalarm will continue to closely monitor the spread of the coronavirus until and during the convention. We are also generating a contingency plan should things worsen. Contact us to stay up to date on the coronavirus concerns. And to see us live from the convention, follow us on our social media channels below. We’re excited to see you at ConExpo-CON/AGG.
