Government orders force cancellation of Ocean City Resort Gift Expo

Mandate issued by Maryland governor limits gatherings in state to 25 people or less.

Clarion Events, the organizer of Ocean City Resort Gift Expo, has announced that its 2020 show, slated for Nov. 15-17, at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, Maryland, has been cancelled.

“We are reaching out with a heavy heart to you to say that the 2020 Ocean City Resort Gift Expo that was scheduled to open this Sunday, Nov. 15 has been cancelled due to new Government mandates,” organizers stated in an email to exhibitors.

On Nov. 10, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, announced a series of actions to slow the spread of COVID-19. This includes a public health advisory to limit indoor gatherings to 25 or less.

“With contact tracing data showing an uptick in cases resulting from family gatherings and house parties, state health officials have issued a public health advisory strongly discouraging indoor gatherings of 25 people or more,” the announcement states.

The health advisory states, “All Marylanders should refrain from attending public and private indoor gatherings of more than 25 individuals in one location and should practice physical distancing to the extent possible.”

Clarion is offering to roll over registrations from the Ocean City Gift and Resort Gift Expo to its Grand Strand Gift & Resort Merchandise Show, Dec. 6-9, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Those interested can email oceancitygiftshow@clarionevents.com.

The next Ocean City Resort Gift Expo will take place Nov. 1-3, 2021 in Ocean City, Maryland.