The executive committee of the Idaho Grower Shipper Association announced Aug. 3 that its annual convention held in Sun Valley, ID, has been cancelled due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.

In a letter to its membership, the committee said that it was only the second time in IGSA’s 92-year history that the convention was cancelled, the first being in 1945 due to “war conditions,” and that the decision was made “after much discussion and input from the industry, state leaders, local health officials and Sun Valley staff."

“We simply cannot risk the safety of our members and industry partners, nor do we wish to endanger their businesses or the reputation of the Idaho potato industry,” read the letter, signed by Shawn Boyle, president; Scott Mickelson, chairman; Klade Williams, vice chairman; and Derek Peterson, secretary/treasurer. “Moreover, we do not have confidence that we can press on, even with numerous safety measures in place, and still deliver the exceptional experience that defines the IGSA convention.”