Helicopter Association International (HAI) is doubling down on its decision to hold Heli-Expo 2021 as an in-person event in March, even as marquee exhibitors withdraw from the show due to concerns over Covid-19.
Vertical has confirmed that at least four major helicopter manufacturers — Airbus, Bell, Sikorsky, and Robinson — have chosen not to attend Heli-Expo, scheduled for March 22-25 in New Orleans, Louisiana. All four typically have a major presence at the show, which in normal years attracts as many as 17,000 attendees and over 650 exhibitors. This year, just over 300 exhibitors remain committed to attending.
“Bell has made the difficult decision to not exhibit at Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo,” the company told Vertical. “This decision was made out of an abundance of caution, and while we respect the significant safety measures HAI and the City of New Orleans are taking, Bell’s top priority remains the well-being of our employees and customers.”
In an emailed statement, Sikorsky confirmed it would also not participate in this year’s Heli-Expo. “We plan to virtually host our annual State of Sikorsky news conference and look forward to connecting with our customers, partners, suppliers and fellow rotary-wing enthusiasts virtually and in person in the future,” the company said.
Robinson Helicopter Company president Kurt Robinson said it had been a “difficult decision,” but that they had also decided to pull out of the show.
An Airbus spokesperson likewise confirmed the company would not be participating, stating, “As eager as we are to resume in-person tradeshows, we do not feel that the current state of the Covid-19 pandemic would allow for us to fully ensure the health and safety of our employees, partners, suppliers, customers and guests.”
Despite the loss of these high-profile exhibitors, HAI remains determined to hold an in-person show “as part of its commitment to its membership,” according to HAI president James Viola, who took the reins of the association in January last year, less than two weeks before Heli-Expo 2020. This year’s show is the first that will have been organized under his leadership.
“I’ll be blunt: holding the show under these conditions will be a financial loss for HAI, but it’s also a sound, practical, and necessary investment in our members and the industry,” Viola stated in a press release issued Jan. 14.
“Our industry needs this boost right now, and it has always been our responsibility to help our members keep their rotors turning. The doors of HAI Heli-Expo will be open to those who want to buy or sell, receive training, look for a new job, or just network with their industry peers.”
In the press release, Viola acknowledged that “some larger companies” had canceled their plans to attend, but added that “hundreds of companies and thousands of attendees” still expect to attend, exhibit, or participate in education or industry meetings.
“We know attendance at this show will be lower than usual, but we expect that many in our industry will still come to New Orleans in order to conduct the business necessary to keep their employees working and their companies moving ahead,” he said.
When asked why HAI chose not to postpone the show, a spokesperson told Vertical, “We’re simply unsure of when the vaccines will be widely available and when the international borders will reopen. Since we can’t just keep pushing out the dates, we made the decision to raise the bar and press forward with the show in the safest manner possible.”
HAI’s preparations come as Covid-19 cases explode in Louisiana and elsewhere around the United States. Louisiana reported over 5,300 new cases and 58 new deaths on Jan. 14 (although that case count includes a backlog of over 900 cases from a newly on-boarded lab). Nearly 2,000 Covid-19 patients are currently hospitalized in Louisiana.
Nationally, the U.S. has reported an average of more than 3,300 new deaths from Covid-19 every day for the past week, reaching over 4,400 deaths on Jan. 12.
Last week, New Orleans enacted “Modified Phase One” restrictions, which among other things mandate mask-wearing in all public places, and limit most businesses to just 25 percent capacity. HAI describes these restrictions, which are currently scheduled to expire on Jan. 29, as “the treatment needed for New Orleans to return to lighter restrictions in Phase Two, which will allow HAI to host this event in the convention center.”
According to Viola, “The only thing that will prevent us from holding HAI Heli-Expo this March is if the New Orleans area is in a Phase One lockdown at that time.”
Barring that, HAI is adamant that it can host a large, multi-day, indoor gathering safely, even though most other trade shows scheduled for the first half of the year — including the 2021 Paris Air Show — have cancelled. New Orleans’ Ernest N. Morial Convention Center currently has only two other events on its calendar, one in April and one in May.
HAI said it will require mask-wearing, social distancing, temperature checks, and health status checklists as part of its effort to keep attendees safe. Other precautionary measures are outlined on a dedicated health and safety page on the Heli-Expo website.
Despite his optimism that Heli-Expo can go forward, Viola also acknowledged that “travel at this time is a very personal decision.”
“I think each person has the right to make that decision for themselves and for their company. For those who can’t make it, we understand, and we’ll see them next year,” he stated.
HAI told Vertical that exhibitors who decide to cancel by Jan. 15 can elect to receive a refund or a credit towards Heli-Expo 2022. Exhibitors who wait longer to cancel, even up to the dates of the show, will receive a full credit for next year’s event.
If the City of New Orleans is forced to continue Phase One status and HAI is unable to hold the show, exhibitors will receive their choice of a full refund or credit. Attendees who choose to cancel for any reason will also receive a refund.
With respect to a virtual attendance option, HAI said it is still “working out the details,” but expects to livestream portions of the show, including general sessions and selected educational courses.
This story has been updated with comment from Airbus.
