HOLLYWOOD, FL – The GAWDA Spring Management Conference, which was scheduled to start on April 5th in Austin Texas, has been cancelled over COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic concerns.

GAWDA has been monitoring the CDC, World Health Organization and John Hopkins websites for the past few weeks. During this time, we have been in communication with the facilities in Austin to assess what options we were available. Large conferences like the SMC are planned years in advance, with the facilities, as well as careful coordination with the city, after multiple inquires, we learned that rescheduling was not an option.

This health crisis has evolved, to where mass gatherings are being cancelled to mitigate the spread of the virus.

Please cancel your hotel reservations directly with the JW Marriott Austin and W Hotel. Below are the phone numbers to speak with hotel representatives.

JW Marriott Austin
(512) 474-4777

W Hotel Austin (overflow)
(512) 542-3600

Exhibitors, please remember to contact GES at (800) 801-7648 to cancel all orders for your booth.

GAWDA Headquarters will begin the process of issuing refunds to all attendees. This will include Attendee Registrations, Booth Reservations, and Sponsorships.

We appreciate your patience during these difficult times.

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About GAWDA

Celebrating our 75th year, the Gases and Welding Distributors Association (GAWDA) is dedicated to promoting the safe operation and economic vitality of distributors of industrial gases and related welding equipment supplies. Through its GAWDA Gives Back campaign, association members have donated almost $2 million over the last 16 years to 22 different charitable organizations in 13 communities across the U.S. Since 2013, GAWDA and its members also have provided scholarships totaling $166,000 to 83 young people interested in studies leading to careers in the industry. For more information, visit the association’s website at www.gawda.org