(Update, April 28): MPI has postponed the WEC until November 2020.
With essentially all meetings and events canceled or postponed for the second quarter due to the coronavirus outbreak and government travel and gathering restrictions, Meeting Professionals International has made the decision to continue to hold its World Education Congress June 6-9 in person at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas.
MPI president and CEO Paul Van Deventer wrote in a letter on the association's website that MPI has "added programming specific to managing the complications associated with this current scenario, as well as recovery. WEC Grapevine may be the first large-scale gathering for our community as recovery begins, making this a key opportunity for our industry to band together and rally behind the positive impact we can make on our world."
Indeed, when asked if the organization was considering canceling or postponing the event, the largest annual event the association holds, MPI SVP of experience Annette Gregg responded that they "will definitely have a hybrid conference—robust live experiences plus simultaneous virtual experiences," she wrote in an email. "We are not considering canceling." Still, Gregg added that MPI was "considering all options based on health guidelines and destination readiness and will have an update next week."
The association on its website noted that it "will continue to place high importance on facilitating measures that will ensure optimal health and sanitary conditions for everyone onsite during the event."
Getting members to attend may not be as easy as saying WEC is open for business. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on March 31 issued an executive order that requires state residents to "minimize social gatherings and minimize in-person contact with people who are not in the same household," but that order currently expires April 30.
However, separate executive orders Abbott issued in March mandate "self-quarantine of 14 days for air travelers flying to Texas" from California, Connecticut, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York and Washington state, as well as the cities of Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit and Miami. Those orders have no expiration date and remain in effect until rescinded by the governor.
Meanwhile, the health department of Tarrant County, Texas, where Grapevine is located, "is strongly recommending that organizers of events of any size in which people will be in close contact to cancel or postpone such events, if possible," according to the county website.
In addition, the WEC venue in Grapevine currently is closed through April 30, and though it is taking reservations for May 1 and onward, a person who answered the phone at the hotel suggested calling back next week to see if there would be an update to the hotel's reopening date. And the WEC closing night event is scheduled for the yet-to-open new Globe Life Field stadium in Arlington, where Major League Baseball's Texas Rangers will play. The WEC event might be the first industry event at the new stadium.
Those who do register for WEC can cancel for any reason with no penalty by June 1. They can opt for a full refund or transfer the registration to WEC Las Vegas in 2021.