The Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) has canceled its rescheduled January 30-February 1 trade show in Chicago due to “debilitating effects” of the coronavirus pandemic (SARS-CoV-2) on business travel. It is the second “no go” for the show, which was originally slated to be held in November of this year.
Cancellation of the Chicago, announced on December 13, followed an earlier decision made by the PLMA to scrap a rescheduled World of Private Label trade fair set for December 14-15 in Amsterdam. This came as stringent government mandates in the Netherlands and other European countries increasingly restricted assembly and movement.
The Chicago action was taken for a number of reasons, all related to the impact of Covid-19 on the safe movement of exhibitors and visitors who annually attend the show, said Peggy Davies, president of the New York City-headquartered PLMA.
“Because of the surge in cases nationwide, we are seeing an extension into 2022 of corporate travel limitations, if not new outright bans,” Davies stated. “With the onset of colder weather and more indoor gatherings, an uptick in cases in the US was predicted by most experts, but its extent has been greater than anticipated.”
In addition, the outbreak of the Omicron variant has exacerbated the Covid-19 situation overseas, resulting in the imposition of tougher restrictions on all international travel. This makes passage to Chicago by visitors from abroad highly problematic, Davies noted.
Meanwhile, the association has plans for three major trade shows for retailers and store brand manufacturers during 2022: PLMA Global, a new online event set for March 28-31; the annual World of Private Label show in Amsterdam, May 31-June 1; and the traditional fall Chicago show, November 13-15.
