Airmic cancels annual conference due to coronavirus

Airmic, the UK-based insurance and risk management association, has cancelled its annual conference that was supposed to be held in June 2020 in Edinburgh because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The association said it has "taken this decision reluctantly".

Airmic may plan to hold networking events including the ERM Forum and the Annual Dinner later in the year. However, a large conference which takes months to organise is highly unlikely to occur this year.

"As we worked through our risk management process and considered different scenarios, it became clear that we need to stop the planning for our June annual conference in Edinburgh because of the coronavirus pandemic," Airmic CEO John Ludlow said in a statement. "Our focus has to remain on the well-being of the risk community and an awareness of our wider responsibility to support the fight against the virus - health and safety remains our priority.

"We know that the conference is a highlight of the risk management calendar and appreciate how much time and effort has already been invested by our members, partners, exhibitors, the Airmic team and the many other people involved in the conference planning. We would like to thank everyone for their support and hard work."

Airmic also stated that it has transformed itself into a "virtual association" to continue to address its members' and stakeholders' questions and needs.

"I think we can all agree that it has been a surreal start to the year considering developments associated with the rapid spread of the Covid-19 illness," Ludlow explained. "Airmic is open for business as the virtual association for risk and insurance professionals. We will continue to offer support to our members and partners during these uncertain times, ensuring that what we do is appropriate and relevant."