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DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS (March 18, 2020) – Over the last few weeks, the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) has been closely monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic and recommendations for size of gatherings by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). After careful deliberation, the NSGA staff and Board of Directors arrived at the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Management Conference & Team Dealer Summit to be held May 17-19 in Phoenix, Arizona because of the rapidly changing developments of the COVID-19 global pandemic and the related restrictions imposed by federal, state and local government including those relating to gatherings of people at conferences.
As the pandemic escalated in the United States last week, it became clear that holding this year’s Management Conference & Team Dealer Summit was no longer a wise or realistic option. The CDC’s most recent recommendation Sunday, that organizers cancel or postpone events with more than 50 people.
Schools, restaurants and retailers are faced with unprecedented closings. Major sporting events have been canceled and sports leagues have been put on hold. Companies are instituting travel bans and major airlines are reducing flight schedules. The health and safety of our attendees, speakers and NSGA staff is of the utmost importance and not something we want to put at risk by bringing together a large group of people nationally and internationally. We wanted to let everyone know of this decision as soon as possible so there is enough time to change travel plans and personal schedules.
Over the coming days and weeks, we will be addressing the many issues arising due to cancellation of the conference. All registration fees for the 2020 Management Conference & Team Dealer Summit will be returned. We will be addressing issues such as the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame Class of 2020 induction of Peter Capolino, Robert Greenberg and Klaus Obermeyer and will work with Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame Chairman Ken Meehan on alternative solutions. We will have additional information on this and other programming from the conference as it becomes available.
We are most grateful for our members and supporters sticking with us and your patience and understanding as we came to this difficult decision. It is disappointing because we know how much this event means to so many people. However, we know there are many significant challenges ahead for everyone in our industry and we are here to help you navigate them together.
Although NSGA closed its headquarters office on Monday for at least two weeks because of the coronavirus, NSGA staff will be working remotely and will be available to handle any questions and concerns you have by calling (847) 296-6742 or at info@nsga.org. We are definitely disappointed about the conference cancellation but are more concerned about helping you navigate through the collateral damage this national emergency will cause to your businesses and are developing ideas to accomplish that mission.
Stay strong and be safe,
Matt Carlson
President & CEO