Due to the World Health Organization’s declaration of a global pandemic, and the disaster declaration in Harris County, we are unable to perform to the high standards expected for a TLA event. Therefore, with a heavy heart, the Texas Library Association’s Executive Board made the difficult decision today to transition to a streamlined, virtual event and cancel TLA 2020 activities in Houston to protect the health and safety of our members, attendees, sponsors and exhibitors.
While we are devastated that the TLA 2020 event will not take place in Houston, we are excited to offer this new professional development experience to the library community.
TLA 2020 Virtual will offer a diverse selection of exciting programs of interest to all types of librarians.
As you know, in addition to the human toll it has taken, the COVID-19 epidemic has been devastating to many organizations and industries. The Texas Library Association was established 118 years ago; we have held the annual conference 106 times and only cancelled the in-person event this year because of unprecedented health risks.
The annual conference is our largest event, and contributes significantly to our annual operating revenue; conference funds make up approximately 80 percent of our annual budget. Additionally, we are financially and contractually obligated to many vendors such as decorators, hotels, convention center, food services, and transportation services.
To lose exhibitor and sponsor revenue in addition to the financial obligations we are legally bound to pay would put the association in an uncertain position.
We are discussing options for recognizing our valued partners and will be in touch in the next few weeks with more information.
On behalf of the TLA executive board and staff, thank you for your continued support and understanding. Please be patient with us as we work through this unprecedented situation.
