Micheal Clements, NAFB News Service

The American Sheep Industry Association Executive Board last week opted to plan a virtual event rather than in person in January 2021.  The ASI Annual Convention was scheduled for January 27-30 at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel. However, state and local COVID-19 restrictions on social distancing made meeting room capacity an issue. Additionally, safety concerns would have meant some directors would not attend in person, therefore a much more expensive hybrid version of in-person and virtual would have been needed. ASI’s contract with the hotel has been rolled back to the next open convention dates in 2024. While the ASI officers and staff will gather in Denver to present a two-day event during the last week in January, all other attendance at the convention will be virtual. In addition, there will be no annual awards in 2021, as the executive board felt the virtual format would not allow for a proper celebration of those winners.