Outbreak forces dozens of event cancellations

A gathering of 7-11 owners, the Orlando Magic’s annual wine festival and auction and even a bar mitzvah have been among dozens of hotel conferences and events called off because of coronavirus concerns.

A list provided by the county of canceled fire permits shows a bigger picture of the potential economic impact the pandemic could have on Central Florida and, specifically, tourism.

The list, which was current as of Sunday, included 48 events with an expected total attendance of at least 43,615 people. Fire permits are required for any event that will host 50 or more people.

Most of the events were planned for March, although some April events, including a McDonalds Golden Arch and Ray Kroc Awards ceremony planned for the Hyatt Regency, were also canceled.

“It’s so difficult to know what to say because it’s so unprecedented,” said Alan Fyall, associate dean of academic affairs at UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management.

“The optics of Walt Disney World closing tells you that it’s serious.”

Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and other major attractions in Central Florida shut their doors on Sunday and Monday.

As hotels withstand the barrage of cancellations, Fyall said the challenge is that there is still no realistic timetable about when businesses can return to normal.

“We have to hope it passes sooner rather than later but everyone is in unknown territory,” he said. “There has never been anything like this. Even 9/11, people were primarily scared of flying. This is affecting everything.”

The Florida Future Business Leaders of America’s student leadership conference, expected to draw more than 5,000 to Hilton Orlando from Thursday to Saturday of last week, was the largest to pull its permit.

“We know the timing of the decision comes with challenges, but in order to best ensure the safety and well being of our members, we need to enact the federal recommendations and cancel our public event,” a statement on the group’s website read.

The coronavirus has been wreaking havoc on hotels and businesses on or near International Drive. A walk along I Drive on Friday showed bars that are usually packed barely drawing enough customers to remain open.

That was before news emerged Sunday of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation that all events with 50 or more people be canceled or postponed.

“The reality is it comes down to cash flow,” Fyall said. “I’m sure there will be very tense businesses over the two or three weeks.”

The Orange County Convention Center has had five events with an expected 100,000 visitors and more than $200 million in economic impact canceled. Seven other events there have also been postponed.