The International Woodworking Fair, in a statement on its website, said that its management intends to produce its 2020 trade show and conference during its planned August 25-28 dates, in line with other large trade events occurring in late summer.

“As we move toward opening day on August 25, we are taking action to create a safe and secure show experience,” IWF management said. “That action comes in collaboration with the Georgia World Congress Center, a state entity with extraordinary depth of knowledge on how to maintain a safe and secure trade show environment, and with direct access to the most up-to-date state guidance.

“Our close collaboration also extends to all show partners and vendors, which continue to follow a rigorous safety regimen. We will continue to adjust the show plan over the next four months as new guidance comes out and conditions inevitably change.

“As our nation continues to make progress in its all-out mission to contain, mitigate, and ultimately defeat the coronavirus epidemic, we will continue to work toward producing an IWF focused on a new and brighter future.”

IWF will be held from Tuesday to Friday, August 25 to 28, 2020 at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. The trade exhibition is the largest professional woodworking event in North America, and a wide-ranging educational program is also planned.

“IWF plans to produce its 2020 event after extensive study, predictive risk assessments, continuing collaboration with our partners and owners and close evaluation of trade show industry calendars displaying confirmed dates for many late-summer events,” the statement continued. “We will continue to adjust the show plan over the next four months as new guidance comes out and conditions inevitably change.”

“We have undertaken careful study in collaboration with partners, owners, and industry leaders, and they unanimously support our intent to proceed in late August.”

IWF said that in the remaining months prior to opening day on August 25 they plan to continue to monitor best practices and guidance from government and other health authorities and from experience at other trade shows.

They will use that information to adjust the show plan to incorporate the latest guidance and best practices governing large-scale events. That monitoring and adjustment comes in collaboration with the Georgia World Congress Center leadership team. Their close collaboration extends to all show partners and vendors, which continue to follow a rigorous safety regimen.

IWF also plans to continue to monitor all COVID-19 developments closely in alignment with local and national authorities and public health advice from the CDC and WHO. They are prepared to address any significant changes in the coming weeks and months.