Two more groups scrap Chicago-area meetings due to coronavirus

Two more conferences scheduled for the Chicago region announced cancellations Tuesday as more organizations opt out of meetings to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

The Central States Communication Association, an organization of academics and teachers in communications, said it was canceling its 2020 annual conference. It was scheduled for April 14-19 in Rosemont at the Loews Chicago O’Hare Hotel.

The association said it was exploring a “virtual option” for the conference at a later date.

The Clean Energy Trust announced it would not hold its Co_Invest Cleantech event, scheduled for May 12 at Revel Fulton Market. The organization said it would reschedule for the fall.

They join four McCormick Place events and numerous other programs and business meetings that have been scrapped or relegated to online versions. The decisions are causing growing losses and disruptions for hotels, restaurants and others in the meetings business.

The communications group noted that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is advising older people and those with chronic ailments to stay home as much as possible and avoid non-essential travel.

Citing “an unprecedented level of uncertainty” over the COVID-19 virus, the energy trust said in a statement, “Our paramount concern is the well-being of all our stakeholders, supporters, team members, and their families.”