The ODA continues to respond to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and its potential impact on all events and activities. First and foremost is the health and safety of our members, staff and the public.
Because of recent guidance from the Government of Ontario, plus concerns about the rapidly evolving nature of COVID-19, we have made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel all ODA events and face-to-face meetings effective immediately, until Monday, April 6, 2020. We have recommended that all ODA component societies do the same. As well, all face-to-face meetings at ODA Headquarters have also been suspended (some meetings will instead be held virtually) until April 6. We will notify you if the cancellation period is further extended as this situation continues to evolve.
We have also made the difficult decision to cancel the ASM20 effective immediately. Given the logistics involved with such a complex event, we had to make this decision farther in advance than our other events. Another email with more details will be sent to all ASM20 registrants soon.
These measures are critically important to protect public safety and perform our social responsibility to the public.
We will provide full refunds to all event registrants, exhibitors and sponsors. The magnitude of these changes and the high number of registrants at some events, particularly the ASM, means it will take us some time to sort out how and when refunds will be processed. We ask you to please bear with us as we deal with all the logistical challenges. More information will come soon to those of you have registered for upcoming ODA events, specifically through the event organizers, but it may take us some time to get this information out.
Decisions around the May 1 – 2, 2020 General Council meeting are more complex, owing to specific requirements in our bylaws that must be further explored with our legal counsel. We will let Component Societies and Councillors know about the outcome as soon as we possibly can. Rest assured that, as with our other events, we will put member and public safety first in these considerations.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact ODA Member Services at member@oda.ca or 416-922-3900 (or toll-free at 1-800-387-1393).
Thank you sincerely for your support and loyalty during this challenging time. We are doing everything we can to make sure we can host the events you have come to expect as safely and enjoyably as possible.
For more information, visit www.oda.ca/
