Dear WJTA members and community,

The WJTA leadership and administrative staff have continued to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic impacts for our members and communities.

Based on feedback from the industry and exhibitors, as well as projections for fall travel and in-person gatherings and the general economic outlook, the WJTA Board of Directors has decided to cancel the 2020 WJTA Expo scheduled for November 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Without question, our primary concern is ensuring the safety of participants. Projections for the COVID-19 pandemic are highly uncertain with possibilities ranging from a return to relative normalcy to another resurgence of the virus.

Feedback was gathered from participants via online surveys. Some respondents indicated a desire to see a return to normalcy and opportunity to connect. A majority however, indicated that they were unlikely to participate in a fall tradeshow or had significant concerns about COVID-19, travel restrictions, fallout from low oil prices, potentially heavy fall workloads and effects from the overall economic downturn.

We hope for the best with a safe and swift return to economic normalcy for our members. In the interest of our attendees, exhibitors and communities, we feel the best course of action is to cancel the event.

Building on the successful 2019 Conference & Expo’s increased attendance, expanded educational opportunities and positive feedback, WJTA 2020 was expected to be one of our best tradeshows.

We are excited for the 2021 WJTA Conference & Expo, October 26-28, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The association is also evaluating options such as e-learning to support our members in the absence of an in-person event this year.

For more information, please refer to Frequently Asked Questions or contact WJTA staff at wjta@wjta.org or 1-314-241-1445.

Sincerely yours,
Bill Gaff             Bill McClister
Chairman           President