The Helicopter Association of Canada on May 25 announced it has decided to cancel its 2020 convention, scheduled to take place in Vancouver from November 5 to 7. The announcement comes shortly after the government of British Columbia outlined its plans to reopen the province’s economy. This includes a stance to not resume large gatherings like conferences, concerts or professional sporting events until a vaccine for COVID-19 is available.
Fred Jones, president and CEO of the Helicopter Association of Canada (HAC), issued the following statement about the decision to cancel this year’s HAC conference; noting plans to hold it once again in November 4-6, 2021:
This year’s Convention was set to mark 25 years for HAC. An annual opportunity for you to meet with your suppliers and customers and to benefit from discussions around the business of helicopter operations, and safety in our industry. We all benefit from this dialogue, but we can only hold the event when the health and safety of our delegates and exhibitors can be assured, and this year HAC and its Board have decided to cancel our 2020 Annual Convention, scheduled to take place in Vancouver, November 5-7 2020.
Recent pronouncements by the Premier of BC and the BC Minister of Health outlining British Columbia’s Business Restart Plans, virtually ban large gatherings of people for the foreseeable future. Current health-related international travel restrictions and the uncertain economic climate in the helicopter industry have made any travel-related decisions difficult for operators and exhibitors. The decision to cancel was made after careful consideration by the Board, and following discussions with key member-companies, and our YVR 2020 host venues.
In November of 2020, we will still be holding our Annual General Meeting (in a format, to be discussed) and some limited presentation-programing. We hope you will understand this decision in these uncertain times.
Please ensure that you have marked your calendars for HAC 2021 in Vancouver BC November 4-6 when we hope to be able to meet again face-to-face. To our Operators and Associates, Convention and Corporate Sponsors, and our Exhibitors – thank you for your continuing support.
