2 more shows abandon McCormick Place as a safeguard against coronavirus

Two more events have withdrawn from McCormick Place, bringing its roll call of cancellations to six as organizers skip large gatherings because of the coronavirus.

The National School Boards Association scrapped its 2020 convention, scheduled for April 4-6. Salesforce said it is converting its Connections 2020 event, scheduled for May 4-6, to a virtual setting.

Each was expected to draw around 8,000 people to McCormick Place, said a spokeswoman for the convention hall. She said the school boards group was expected to account for about 22,000 room nights at hotels, and the Salesforce event about 11,000.

The largest event to cancel at McCormick Place thus far has been the annual exhibition of the International Housewares Association, which was expected to draw 56,000 people from Saturday through Tuesday.