One of the last large association in-person events for 2020 has transitioned to a virtual-only format because of rising COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and the world.

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events announced Monday that it would not hold Expo! Expo! in Louisville, Ky. The annual meeting and exhibition was to take place Dec. 8-10 as a hybrid virtual and in-person event but will now be entirely online.

IAEE cited the "enhanced negative realities of COVID-19" for its decision. COVID cases in Kentucky alone have surged in recent weeks, with hospitalizations also on the rise.

"Our board, staff and members were excited to take part in this annual, in-person event," said Bob McLean, chairperson of IAEE's board of directors. "However, in light of current health and safety concerns, the board has unanimously decided to transition this face-to-face event to a wholly virtual experience."

As an association representing the events industry, IAEE pushed ahead with plans to hold an in-person annual event even as most associations either canceled their conferences and trade shows or moved them online. That trend looks likely to continue with many groups either postponing events scheduled for the first half of 2021 or transitioning them to virtual platforms.

IAEE CEO David DuBois said the group is utilizing the Swapcard virtual event platform "to deliver valuable content to plan future events while also providing an engaging marketplace to meet and make plans for 2021 and beyond."

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