PACex International postponed due to SARS fears

The Packaging Association of Canada has postponed its biennial packaging show until the fall because of exhibitor and visitor concerns about Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The show was originally scheduled to begin May 6 in Toronto. It will now be held on September 30 through to October 2, 2003, at Toronto’s International Centre.The World Health Organization recently warned travelers to avoid Toronto due to SARS, although local authorities say the advisory is not necessary. Toronto has had the largest outbreak of the disease outside of Southeast Asia.”There was considerable concern (among visitors and exhibitors),” reports Ann Van Sluytman, director of communications for the Packaging Association of Canada (PAC). She could not provide figures on the expected percentage of international attendees, but noted that “typically, there’s a fair degree of international presence on the show floor, either as direct exhibitors or by companies participating with a local representative.”PACex International is Canada’s fifth largest industrial trade show, and had 298 contracted exhibitors when the decision was made to postpone. The show was expanded this year to include FOODtech Marketplace and the Canadian Materials Handling and Logistics show.