COVID-19 forces STAFDA to cancel California convention

The Specialty Tools and Fasteners Distributors Association (STAFDA) announced that it has been forced to cancel its annual convention and trade show scheduled for November.

California’s July 13 move to shutdown once again, and revert to its Phase 1 of reopening, prompted the cancellation. STAFDA’s Convention and Trade Show was scheduled for Nov. 8-10 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

And California has yet to establish a future reopening date.

“The COVID-related conditions in California are beyond STAFDA's control making it impossible for us to move forward with our meeting,” STAFDA said in a prepared statement issued late today.

“STAFDA was taking every safety protocol to safeguard attendees' health and well-being and we commend Visit Anaheim and the Anaheim Convention Center on being leaders in wellness and biorisk safety,” the association said. “Both STAFDA and Anaheim officials took all the necessary steps to ensure our November Convention would be a success.”

A virtual option is being developed with STAFDA notifying members once a plan has been finalized. This includes workshop speakers, a keynote address, a general session and a virtual component to STAFDA’s trade show.

Despite the COVID-19 crisis, STAFDA said that registration for its planned November show had “got off to an impressive start.”

In the meantime, STAFDA has urged members and those registered to attend the event to cancel hotel reservations. STAFDA also said that it will begin issuing refunds to members who registered for the event.

This is the first time that STAFDA has been forced to cancel its annual show. The next STAFDA convention is scheduled for Nov. 7-9, 2021 in Charlotte, N.C.