For the second year in a row, the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago will not take place due to the Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions on public gatherings. As of March 2, the death toll attributed to the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that originated in China during late 2019 and spread to virtually the entire planet was put at 2,547,420, while the number of infections was approaching 114,800,000.
While some food exhibition companies around the world have cautiously resumed in-person gatherings, including the organizer of the February 21-25 Gulfood event in Dubai, the 2021 edition of the National Restaurant Association trade show planned for May 22-25 will not be among them. This is because the state of Illinois has placed an order in effect until early June that limits gatherings to a maximum of 50 people. Even though the order could be modified prior to expiration, McCormick Place venue personnel have indicated that their ability to re-open for large events is currently prohibited by governmental regulation and it is not anticipated that changes prior to June would allow an event of the size and scope of the National Restaurant Association show to occur in May.
“While we can’t meet in person just yet, we’re committed to supporting the foodservice community through this time of transformation and new challenges,” according to an announcement posted at the organizer’s website. “We’re dialing up our free digital resources and making it easier to find the products and partners you need to reimagine your business right now and prepare for what’s ahead.”
Meanwhile, America’s largest restaurant and foodservice trade association is hoping and planning for its next show to take place May 21-24, 2022, in Chicago.
