FL: MetroCon 2020 cancelled; Tampa Bay Comic Con 2020 to proceed with strict health measures

After careful consideration, the organizers at one of Florida’s popular conventions have made the decision to cancel Metrocon 2020, which was scheduled for July 23-26, 2020, in Tampa due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“At this time COVID-19 continues to be a public health risk of gross proportions, and it is irresponsible for us to encourage not only patrons, but merchants, performers, voice actors, volunteers, and staff to put their health and safety on the line to make this event happen,” Metrocon CEO Alex Craddock wrote.

Craddock said he made his decision after receiving input from people important for the realization of the convention. “To avoid ALL of these risks, I have made this decision with input from fans, vendors, artists, cast members, volunteers, city officials, medical professionals, department heads, and anyone else who was willing to share their voice with me.”

Also, Craddock announced Metrocon 2021 is already scheduled for July 23-25, 2021, returning to a three-day format. Attendees have been purchasing a lot more three-day passes than full weekend ones, while guests “do not want to commit to a four-day event of our size.”

Just like with other cancelled conventions, people who have purchased for Metrocon 2020 tickets do have options: rollover tickets to Metrocon 2021, request a refund, or cancel tickets and donate.

However, the organizers are another convention have decided to continue with their plans for this year, but with additional measures.

The Tampa Bay Comic Convention “has been green lit to proceed.”

“After nearly two months of agonizing uncertainty, we have received confirmation from the Tampa Convention Center and Tampa Fire Marshal that TBCC 2020 will move forward with numerous health measures enacted by the venue and various levels of government, to keep attendees, exhibitors, guests, and staff as safe as possible,” says the Facebook post.

As seen on the post, these are some measures fans can expect at TBCC 2020:

1) Temperature screenings will be mandatory for all occupants prior to entering Tampa Convention Center. Those exhibiting temperatures above a certain level will not be allowed entry into the convention.
2) Tampa Convention Center has increased cleaning and disinfection procedures in high-traffic areas such as elevators and escalators, handrails, benches, tables, handles, restrooms and more.
3) Hand sanitizing stations shall be set through the pre-function space and high traffic areas at entrance points.
4) Interior occupancy of the exhibit hall, ballrooms, and meeting rooms shall be strictly limited, with one-way ingress and one-way egress of all interior spaces.

[Sources]: Metrocon: Home Page – [Archive]. @TampaBayComicCon (Facebook): Tampa Bay Comic Convention 2020 lives on! That’s right—the July 10-12, 2020, Tampa Bay Comic Convention has been green lit to proceed – [Archive]. WFLA: Tampa Bay Comic Con gets green light to go on in July – [Archive].