COVID-19 Update from TIA President & CEO

A couple of updates this afternoon…

First, the Mayor of Austin called late Friday afternoon to let me know that the TIA Capital Ideas Conference & Exhibition would not be allowed to be held April 1 -4. During this call, I thanked the Mayor for the best (worst) news I’d ever received.

The city’s order triggered the force majeure provisions in our contracts and insurance. TIA’s Meetings Department is currently working with our key exhibitors and the JW Marriott Austin to work through alternatives. We will let you know how we plan to proceed in my update tomorrow.

The second item is that TIA Staff will follow the federal government’s direction and allow liberal telework. All our direct phone numbers are forwarded to our cell phones, so we can be reached directly during normal business hours of 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST. All staff is also equipped with laptops or Surfaces, and TIA maintains a robust VPN, so maintaining connectivity will not be an issue. We will continue to serve you as you serve your customers.

Finally, to me, this is what it must have felt like in Brittan in September of 1939 knowing that they were going to war with Germany. And, since I am a 1940’s music junky, I’ll close these updates with a tune from that era.