June RCI Annual Conference canceled due to COVID-19

All 2020 RCI events either canceled or rescheduled amid coronavirus.

The 2020 RCI Annual Convention & Industry Expo has been canceled. The 2020 event was originally scheduled for June 15-19 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

In addition, all other RCI events scheduled for 2020 will also be canceled or rescheduled, including:

The Creams, Fondants & Fudges course (Aug. 5-7 in Dayton, Ohio)
The Fall Regional Conference (Aug. 31-Sept. 2 in Napa, California)

In a letter to members, Angie Burlison, Retail Confectioners International executive director, along with the RCI Board of directors, said it was the extremely difficult decision that was made with the best interest of its members and communities at heart.

“Given the current unknowns regarding social distancing, state and local stay-at-home orders, travel bans and ongoing business challenges for our members, we felt it was best to focus on providing resources our members need most at this time,” the letter said.

The 2021 RCI Annual Convention & Industry Expo will be held June 21-25 in Columbus, Ohio.

RCI said it will continue to offer resources, online education and ways to connect virtually to help members come back from this better than ever.

“We will truly miss the many opportunities RCI’s events give our members, exhibitors and guests to connect face-to-face, however, as always, we are committed to supporting this sweet industry even when apart,” the letter read. “We are certain this will pass, but for now, we are all in this together.”

Crystal Lindell, Former editor-in-chief of Candy Industry Magazine. While here she has worked on Candy Industry Magazine, Food Engineering Magazine and Food Safety Strategies. She holds a master’s degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois – Springfield and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Illinois University. And her favorite breakfast is a cup of espresso and Twix bar.