Dear XBHR members:
Ordinarily, in anticipation of our annual conference I would be sending out a “welcome to the conference” email to all attendees.
However, and with great regret, I must instead inform XBHR members, and especially those who have already registered, that due to the circumstances surrounding COVID-19 we are cancelling the 4-6 March 2020 conference in Warsaw. Please know that the Management Committee has taken this decision only after serious consideration of the volatility of the situation, and with concern for the health, safety, and comfort of all attendees.
XBHR is a unique organization. Our annual conference is structured to promote an environment of highly interactive discussion, and the active face-to-face participation and contribution of all attendees is key to its success. In the face of expanding travel restrictions as well as personal safety concerns, we anticipate that an increasing number of members will be forced to cancel their attendance. Without the opportunity for interaction and lacking a robust number of participants, the value of the conference would be significantly diminished.
Given the extraordinary circumstances, the Management Committee thought it important to let members know that next year’s conference has already been scheduled for 3-5 March, 2021 (location tbd). We are committed to continuing the very successful exchange of ideas and resources – as well as the opportunity to get together with friends and colleagues – that XBHR has always provided our members.
Meanwhile, we are thinking about alternatives to the Warsaw conference. Among those is rescheduling this year’s conference to 9-11 September, 2020. We ask that all members let us know by reply email whether that is something that would be of interest, both with regard to the date and the idea of holding a conference within six months of our 2021 conference. Also, we would appreciate any suggestions for other alternatives (such as webinars, virtual meetings, etc.) that you may have.
XBHR will refund the conference fee to those members who have already paid. The Intercontinental Warsaw has advised that it will charge one night’s room charge for those who have made reservations using the XBHR group rate.
Again, we sincerely regret the necessity of cancelling the Warsaw conference, and look forward to seeing everyone in 2021 – if not sooner.
Baba Zipkin
Chair: XBHR