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.

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Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”  These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.  Allegiant Stadium As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward? Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city. Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.