LENEXA, KANSAS, US — The International Association of Operative Millers (IAOM) annual conference and exposition is expected to go on as planned despite an increasing number of conferences and events being postponed because of the spread of the coronavirus, the association’s president said in a March 4 update.

David Jansen, president of the IAOM, said the association does “not anticipate any changes or delays to our upcoming event,” which is scheduled for April 6-10 at the Hyatt Regency Portland and Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon, US.

“We are planning for another outstanding gathering of grain milling professionals, machinery manufacturers and service providers,” Jansen said. “With more 130 exhibitors and the decisionmakers from North America, #IAOM2020 is going to be another very successful year.”

In making the announcement, Jansen said the IAOM and its conference partners are taking several steps to ensure the health and safety of attendees.

“The conference headquarters hotel and Oregon Convention Center have added both hand-washing stations and sanitizing solution dispensers throughout the show floor, lobby and show offices,” Jansen said. “We are also actively monitoring the situation daily and following all safety information and precautions set forth by the US Department of Health and Human Services, the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization, and other federal, state and local governmental agencies, as applicable.”

While noting that registration is on pace with previous years, Jansen said the IAOM has  asked attendees and exhibitors from countries with a Warning Level 3 from the CDC to avoid attending the IAOM Conference & Expo.

Additionally, the                IAOM’s International Executive Committee is serving as the crisis team and will meet regularly to evaluate virus updates and precautionary measures.

For more information on the conference, visit www.iaom.info/annualmeeting/.