Greetings Colleagues,

I wanted to pass along a heads up prior to a formal announcement from John Hall, which you should see soon in an email blast to the members. 

I don’t think it is news to you that the conference was hanging by a thread, with conditions worsening on a daily basis. States have turned the recent CDC recommendations on limiting group gatherings to 50 persons or less for eight weeks into mandates, along with closing bars, restaurants, and other non-essential businesses. My email to the governor of Pennsylvania that liquor stores ought to be considered essential businesses has yet to be answered.

I shot a note to the Executive Council this afternoon to begin the discussion about cancellation of the conference, and it did not take long to come to a decision. Regrettably, the Council agreed to cancel the conference. I know this comes as a blow to all of our panel members who have been preparing papers; our award winners who we were going to recognize; the program committee, which under Heather Perry’s leadership diligently vetted hundreds of proposals; and the local organizing committee, which under Matt Seelinger worked tirelessly to organize a great event in Arlington. Finally, I’m sad that we will not have the opportunity this year to gather together as a Society and as a community of scholars to learn, meet and greet old colleagues, and make new acquaintances. Conditions, however, have deteriorated to the point that cancellation is the best option available to us.

But … Norfolk is just around the corner, and I hope we have a huge turnout in 2021. 

Per our earlier policy, all registration fees will be refunded. Please be patient as it will take some time for Matt to process the refunds. And please ensure that you cancel your own hotel reservations.

In the meantime, wash your hands, don’t be a hoarder, and remember that trout streams provide ideal locations to practice social distancing.

Stay well, stay safe, and we’ll see you in Norfolk!

Best,

C.C. Felker

SMH Executive Director