The 2020 ILEETA CONFERENCE AND EXPO HAS BEEN CANCELLED. PLEASE SEE EXPLANATION BELOW. We intend to return for the 2021 conference which will be at the Union Station Hotel in St. Louis.
Future ILEETA Annual Conferences:
The 2021 ILEETA Annual Training Conference and Expo will take place March 22-27, 2021
The 2022 ILEETA Annual Training Conference and Expo will take place March 14-19, 2022
2020 ILEETA Conference Cancellation July 17, 2020
In the past few days conditions have changed that prevent holding the 2020 ILEETA Conference. As much as we wanted to have a conference with all that has occurred in the past few months, it just is not possible at this time.
Conditions in St. Louis
COVID19 numbers are not going the right way in the metro area. Thursday, St. Louis County announced it is considering a reversal of opening protocols. In two weeks or less there could be restrictions on meeting room occupancy that would make it impossible to hold classes.
Attendance/Travel
Many agencies have initiated travel restrictions and our attendee numbers have fallen quickly over the past week. Others had to cancel because protest overtime depleted their budgets. Almost none of the members from outside the U.S. would be able to attend without at least at 14 day quarantine and US-Canada restrictions were renewed. Many instructors also had to cancel. Other members were prepared to substitute but our concern was that they might have very few attendees or that we would need to reduce the curriculum to a fraction of the original plan. Many of our vendors also had to cancel because of company travel restrictions.
The only silver lining of the change of COVID19 numbers is that it enabled us to be released from our contractual obligations to the hotel. The Union Station Hotel believes in our mission and looks at us as long term partners, and late yesterday released us from the cancellation provision of our contract. As things are it will be tough fiscally for the association, but many others are faring far worse.
For those members still registered to attend the conference as an attendee, instructor or staff, I am very sorry we are unable to deliver a conference in 2020 but we intend to be back in less than 8 months with a great experience. Please accept my apology for any inconveniences you may endure as a result of this cancellation. If you registered and paid to attend the 2020 ILEETA Conference and wish to use that credit to register for the 2021 ILEETA Conference (and also avoid any cost increase), simply email info@ileeta.org and we can transfer that registration for you. If you need a refund, please email the address above, include the registered attendee’s name, indicate who the check should be made out to, and where it should be addressed.
If you have a sleeping room reservation at the Union Station Hotel please be sure to cancel your reservation. You can click here and navigate to the top left side of the page and click on “My Reservation” to cancel your reservation or you can call 1-800-HILTONS. Please be sure to have your reservation number available.
We are committed to continuing the mission of ILEETA including that of providing a great conference. Thank you for your understanding during this unusual time.