Dear experts and friends of the winter sports sector,

This should be an exciting week for all of us, given the fact that ISPO Beijing and Alpitec China were scheduled to start these days at the CIEC New Venue in Beijing. For me personally - as I am sure for all of you as well - it would have been a great opportunity and pleasure to meet and connect with existing and potential business partners: four days full of information, inspiration and networking for the entire sector.

However, on January 24, 2020 Beijing has initiated a first-level response to major public health emergencies and cancelled all large-scale events, in order to further implement the prevention and control of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), following the instructions of the Beijing Municipal Government via the Beijing Public Security Bureau. Therefore, ISPO Beijing and Alpitec China, scheduled from 12 to 15 February 2020 in Beijing had to be cancelled. The outbreak of this epidemic and related governmental instructions constitute force majeure, since they are objective circumstances, which are unforeseeable, unavoidable and insurmountable. People's lives and health are a top priority; this was therefore a necessary step to protect the exhibitors and visitors as well as the public.

Our hearts go out to all of you in these trying times, but we will see you again next year at Alpitec China 2021.

Yours sincerely,

Thomas Mur
CEO Fiera Bolzano