Coronavirus: CinemaCon 2020 canceled as EU travel ban, spread of virus make it impossible for event to be held
CinemaCon2020 has been canceled following the rapid spread of the deadly coronavirus.
According to a Variety report, NATO's John Fithian and Mitch Neuhauser issued a statement announcing the cancelation. "It is with great regret we are announcing the cancellation of CinemaCon 2020,” it read.
"Each spring, motion picture exhibitors, distributors, and industry partners from around the world meet in Las Vegas to share information and celebrate the moviegoing experience. This year, due to the travel ban from the European Union, the unique travel difficulties in many other areas of the world and other challenges presented by the Coronavirus pandemic, a significant portion of the worldwide motion picture community is not able to attend CinemaCon."
It also added, "While local outbreaks vary widely in severity, the global circumstances make it impossible for us to mount the show that our attendees have come to expect. After consultation with our attendees, trade show exhibitors, sponsors, and studio presenters, NATO has decided therefore to cancel CinemaCon 2020. We look forward to continuing the 10-year tradition of presenting the largest movie theater convention in the world and joining our attendees in future celebrations of the moviegoing experience,” read the statement."
The annual gathering of global movie theater owners was scheduled to run March 30-April 2 in Las Vegas.
This piece of news comes after the cancelation of E3, Emerald City Comic Con, and SXSW— three high-profile events. With all this, it remains to be seen if the San-Diego Comic-Con too will take a similar route despite scheduled between July 23 and 26.
The cinema industry has taken a hit as well with a number of top movies of the year delaying their release date. 'No Time to Die' and 'Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway'. TV shows have taken precautionary measures as well with series like 'Riverdale' and 'The Falcon and The Winter Soldier' canceling their production. Earlier on March 11 it was announced that Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson have been confirmed to have contracted the Coronavirus while in Australia.