Shows Cancel in Wake of Hurricane Florence Impact on East Coast

September 12, 2018

Several shows have canceled at convention centers expected to be impacted by Hurricane Florence, which is projected to make landfall in the Carolinas as a Category 3 or 4 storm on Friday morning.

The National Rifle Association has canceled the second annual NRA Carry Guard Expo, scheduled for Sept. 14-16, 2018 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, Va., due to the impending threat of severe weather associated with Hurricane Florence.

“The cancellation was made in the interest of public safety due to the forecasted arrival of Category 4 Hurricane Florence in the mid-Atlantic region this forthcoming weekend, and the resulting declaration of a State of Emergency by the Governor of Virginia,” NRA show organizers said.

They added, “This decision required careful deliberation and concern for the safety of attendees, exhibitors and others involved with the event.

Customers who purchased event tickets or tickets to paid workshops will receive refunds for their purchases.

“Despite this major weather event being beyond human control, the NRA regrets any inconvenience caused by this decision,” NRA show organizers said. “We look forward to welcoming guests and exhibitors next year to the 2019 NRA Carry Guard Expo, scheduled for Sept. 6-8, 2019, in Fort Worth, Texas.”

In North Carolina, the state in which Hurricane Florence is projected to make a direct hit, the Downtown Raleigh Home Show also has canceled.

The show was expected to run Sept. 14-16 at the Raleigh Convention Center. Show organizers said tickets can be used at other upcoming shows, refunded or donated to Habitat for Humanity.

In Wilmington, N.C., which is on the coast literally in the bullseye of the hurricane, there currently are no shows scheduled at the city’s convention center.

There also are no shows currently scheduled in Charleston, S.C., another city expected to be impacted, however the Monroe Hardware Fall Dealer’s Market has, which was expected to run Sept. 15-16 at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.

The SER of the WOCN® Society 42nd Annual Conference, on tap next week in Myrtle Beach, currently still is scheduled to be held according to the event’s site, but they are monitoring the potential hurricane impact.

The Charlotte (N.C.) Convention Center is further inland and plans to still hold the Southern States Showcase Sept. 18-20, according to its web site.

Please follow @TSNN_com_US and TSNN_Rachel for updates.

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Dallas already boasts 35,000 hotel rooms, award-winning global cuisine, and a walkable downtown. But we are just getting started. Visit Dallas is thrilled to announce that the city of Dallas is doubling down with a massive new convention center and entertainment district. Featuring 800,000 square feet of exhibit area, 260,000 square feet of meeting rooms, and 170,000 square feet of ballroom. The center will connect business travelers with dining and shopping options in the popular Cedars District means more places to get down to business, and even more ways to unwind. “Dallas is already a great meetings and conventions destination, with the accessibility of two major airports, affordable labor, and an outstanding hotel product,” said D. Bradley Kent, Visit Dallas senior vice president and chief sales officer. “The new center and Convention Center District will enhance Dallas’ competitive position and are exactly what our customers’ need and have been asking for." What’s New – AT&T Discovery District Located in the heart of Downtown Dallas, this new district on the AT&T corporate campus is tailor-made for groups of all sizes. It boasts a multi-sensory experience, including outdoor event space, the AT&T Theater, and multiple dining outlets including JAXON Beer Garden and The Exchange, a bustling food hall. Hotels Coming Soon Names like the JW Marriott (Downtown), lnterContinental Dallas (Uptown), and Hotel Swexan (Uptown) are adding luxury amenities and bountiful event spaces. The projects will debut in 2023 and beyond. JW Marriott This new, 15-story, 283-room hotel will open in the heart of the city’s downtown Arts District this year. The property features a 25,000-square-foot grand ballroom, as well as a spa, restaurant, lobby bar, fitness center, and a rooftop pool deck and bar. InterContinental Dallas  Located in Cityplace Tower in Uptown, InterContinental Dallas will feature sweeping panoramic views of the Dallas skyline. Guests will enjoy spacious, high-end rooms and amenities, including more than 21,000 square feet of event space.   Hotel Swexan Hotel Swexan, a new, 22-story luxury property, is rising in Uptown’s Harwood District and will make its mark on the Dallas skyline. Opening this year, it is a sculptural building with cantilevered upper floors, as well as a 75-foot rooftop infinity-edge swimming pool and a hidden underground lounge.