CEO DATELINE - Associations cancel Baltimore events after rioting
CEO DATELINE - Associations cancel Baltimore events after rioting
- April 28, 2015 |
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Walt Williams
Groups cite safety concerns as reason for decisions
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Protests and violence in Baltimore has led at least two associations to cancel scheduled events in the city out of concern for visitor safety.
The Door and Hardware Institute announced Tuesday it had called off its CoNEXTions convention, which was scheduled to start Wednesday at the Baltimore Convention Center. At the same time, the American Heart Association said it had canceled a medical conference at the Hilton Baltimore.
In a statement on its website, DHI noted that Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency in the city after rioting broke out following the funeral of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old man who died while in police custody. The association noted there were planned protests at City Hall, close to the convention center.
"There are significant financial ramifications of this decision that were discussed at length before this decision was made," DHI said. "The impact goes well beyond DHI and includes our exhibitors, attendees, service providers, speakers, and includes the local economy via the hotels, restaurants, and establishments, all the way to the clerks and wait staff. It is not a decision that is taken lightly, but we expect that you would agree that the safety and security of our members and attendees is our highest priority."
The association added it would get in touch with exhibitors and attendees to provide information about a financial reconciliation policy currently under development.
The American Heart Association also is considering how to handle requests for refunds of registration fees for the canceled medical conference.
AHA has an office in downtown Baltimore. Even though no rioting has taken place in that part of the city, the association has told employees to work from home.
"As you know, our staff and volunteers are our greatest resources," AHA CEO Nancy Brown said in a statement. "They are what drive our life-saving mission. So we take employee and volunteer safety very seriously."
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