Washington — The spreading coronavirus outbreak has prompted the Plastics Industry Association to cancel the industry's largest political lobbying event and its late March board meeting in Washington.
The March 12 evening announcement from the trade group said parts of board meeting, originally scheduled for March 24-26, will be moved to a virtual platform at a later date.
As well, the Washington-based association said the March 25 lobbying day, the Plastics Industry Fly-In, will be rescheduled to a later date to be determined. The 2020 Posthumous Plastics Hall of Fame induction ceremony will also be rescheduled to an unspecified date.
The decision came after the federal government announced earlier in the day that the U.S. Capitol and related buildings housing offices for members of the Senate and House would be restricted to official business through at least the end of March.
"As a precaution for the safety of our members, guests, and staff amid the growing COVID-19 pandemic, I, along with the [association's] board chairman, have decided to cancel the spring board meetings and Plastics Industry Fly-In," President and CEO Tony Radoszewski said. "Moving some aspects of the meeting to a future date demonstrates the continued commitment to the important work of [the group's] membership during this critical time."
The association said it would continue to monitor the coronavirus impact.
"Our principal concern is the safety and wellness of our members, attendees, staff, vendors and the plastics industry," Radoszewski said. "As such, we will continue to follow the official Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines regarding COVID-19, and take every precaution to keep our staff safe and our office open for business as we conduct these virtual meetings."