ICMCTF 2020 IS CANCELLED
MARCH 16, 2020
After much deliberation in the wake of rapidly changing and unprecedented circumstances surrounding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), the International Conference on Metallurgical Coatings and Thin Films (ICMCTF)/AVS Advanced Surface Engineering Executive Committee has made the extremely difficult decision to cancel ICMCTF 2020, originally scheduled for April 26–May 1, 2020, in San Diego, California, USA.
We understand what ICMCTF means to our attendees, exhibitors, presenters, sponsors, vendors and that our scientific community will be greatly affected by the lost opportunity to participate in this special event, present their latest research, and collaborate with colleagues. This was not a decision made lightly, or without significant deliberation, but the health, safety and well-being of the ICMCTF global community is our highest priority. So, in the face of increasing concerns, and with the guidance of governmental and health agencies, the decision was compelled and required. In the last week, we have learned the following:
- The President of the United States has declared a National Emergency and imposed related travel restrictions
from Europe to the United States; - The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified COVID-19 a pandemic and repeated its call for
comprehensive strategies to prevent infections, save lives and minimize the virus’ impact; - California Governor Newsom has imposed a ban on non-essential gatherings of more than 250 people;
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued clear guidelines advising that organizations
cancel in-person events of more than 50 people throughout the U.S. for the next eight weeks.
These are at the national and international level, but as you know, there are many more actions being taken at the state and local level to protect individuals and communities. In the end, these recommendations and actions, coupled with our concerns for attendees’ health and safety and the related travel restrictions imposed on so many of our attendees and exhibitors, left us with no choice but to cancel ICMCTF 2020.
We want to provide all attendees with ample time to manage their air travel and hotel reservations. We urge those who were planning to attend the Conference to expedite flight and hotel cancellations. Meeting registration fees will be automatically refunded for individuals who have pre-registered. If you have paid by bank wire, you will be contacted to provide banking details so that a return wire may be issued.
We are grateful to our Committee for their hard work and dedication in building a strong ICMCTF 2020 Technical Program and we thank our entire community for their support, patience, and understanding as we navigated this very difficult and unfortunate situation. We ask for your continued patience as we work diligently to address questions and provide additional information to all who are impacted by this cancellation.
Again, we regret that we had to make this decision, but we greatly appreciate your concern and your support in the recent weeks. We look forward to seeing you at our next ICMCTF and we will provide more details on that event as they become available.
We wish you continued safety and good health.
Grzegorz (Greg) Greczynski, Program Chair
Chris Muratore, General Chair
ICMCTF Organizing Committee and ASED Executive Committee