UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has postponed its 2020 UFI Asia-Pacific Conference due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The conference was set to take place in Macau on 5-6 March.

In a statement, UFI said the decision to postpone the event was based on guidance from the World Health Organisation.

“Following the rapid developments around the outbreak of the new coronavirus in China, governance bodies from the World Health Organisation to national, regional, and local authorities have issued and decreed numerous counter measures,” the statement said.

“Following these guidances, UFI has decided to postpone the 2020 UFI Asia Pacific Conference which was scheduled to be held in Macau on 5-6 March and the Digital Innovation Forum which was scheduled on 4 March.

“Although we know that this is disappointing, of course, we always put the health and safety of our members and staff first.

“Like many of you faced with similar decisions, and after discussions with our hosts in Macau, we have opted to postpone both events until later in the year.”

Each year, the UFI Asia-Pacific Conference attracts around 300 leaders from organisers, venues, associations, service providers and government bodies.

The new dates for the conference will be announced soon.

Read more about the impact coronavirus is having on tourism here.