After Sticking With Summer Conference Amid Concern, APCO Pulls Plug on It

APCO 2020 is canceled, the group emailed early Tuesday afternoon. Experts had said holding the annual summer convention planned for Aug. 2-5 in Orlando could pose public health problems, amid COVID-19. See our report here.

Since CEO Derek Poarch announced last week APCO was sticking by the plan to move forward, a local order requiring face masks took effect, he emailed now. "Saturday, Florida reported 4,049 new COVID-19 cases setting a record high since the pandemic began." Also that day, a Florida Department of Health advisory recommended not attending events in the state with 50-plus attendees, Poarch wrote.

Registration fees will be refunded.

The public safety group didn't comment further in the minutes after the announcement. Nor did the Department of Health.