OTTAWA, Ontario — The Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada is moving its national conference, scheduled for April 28-29 in Toronto, online in response to the growing COVID-19 pandemic.
Details of the meeting's digital format still are being prepared and will be announced once they are finalized, the AIA Canada said.
"This has been both an easy and difficult decision to make," AIA Canada President Jean-François Champagne said.
"From the standpoint of keeping our members and the community at large both safe and healthy, we feel this is the best way to go," he said. "At the same time, we are disappointed not to be able to bring our members together in celebration of our industry."
Mr. Champagne noted that as a not-for-profit association, AIA Canada relies on the revenue generated by events such as this to fund its activities on behalf of its members.
Bearing that in mind, Mr. Champagne is asking those who already paid conference fees or sponsorship associated with our conference to consider donating them.
The original program included presentations on the sustainable future of the automotive aftermarket; focus on the right-to-repair and access to vehicle data; and addressing talent shortages and skills gap.
All reservations will be canceled automatically for those who reserved within the conference room block at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Toronto Airport & Conference Centre.