Coronavirus concerns sees cancellation of FIBO USA 2020

Ongoing concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic in the USA have led the organisers of the FIBO USA 2020 event to announce that the event has been cancelled.

Announcing that the convention - scheduled to be held from 6th to 8th November 6-8 at the Miami Beach Convention Center, in Florida, USA - will not now go ahead, the event organisers advised “after extensive discussions with our customers about the feasibility of participating in FIBO USA during these challenging times, the decision to cancel the show was made with the industry’s long-term health and our customers’ business needs at the forefront.

“We are focused on finding opportunities for FIBO Global to continue to serve the fitness community and are prioritizing outlets for you to make contacts and support promotion of your business year-round. This includes our continued work towards development and realization of a business summit for the industry, American Health & Fitness Forum (AHFF) occurring in November 2020.”

The cancellation of FIBO USA, while the main FIBO event will go ahead in Germany in October, appears to reflect how Coronavirus continues to spread across the USA.

Commenting on the cancellation, FIBO USA Event Vice President, Bob McFarland stated “while we had remained optimistic that FIBO USA could proceed in November 2020, the challenges surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic have not subsided and we are cognizant of the needs of our customers to focus on reopening their businesses.

“We greatly appreciate our customers’ continued loyalty to the FIBO brand and look forward to seeing you later this year at FIBO Germany - October 1 to 3, 2020 in Cologne, Germany - and the American Health & Fitness Forum in November.”

Giving her view on the cancellation, Australian Mel Tempest, FIBO USA Ambassador and Educational Committee Member, advised that she “supports the decision”, noting “FIBO USA will bring to the USA industry a new style of education that will bring a more personalised approach enhancing the industry for the better.

“I look forward to working alongside the team as we prepare to deliver exceptional education not only to club owners and fitness professionals but to support the many suppliers in the USA industry that we have worked alongside and supported us in the past years.”

FIBO China, originally scheduled to run from 14th to 16th August in Shanghai, will also not be held this year.

Click here for details on FIBO's October event in Germany in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.