Although events canceled in 2020 have been slowly coming back this year, rising rates of the highly-contagious Delta variant are derailing some of those plans. This time, IMS has announced the cancellation of their show in New York, citing new restrictions implemented by the state on gatherings of more than 5,000 people.

Organizers specifically blame the state’s proof of vaccination and rapid testing requirements as reasons to drop the event from their nationwide tour schedule. IMS explained, “These new mandates may potentially require all exhibitors, suppliers, press, and attendees at the IMS Outdoors New York event to either show their vaccination card or be rapid tested on-site prior to entry.”

Why not move forward with the event anyway? Basically, IMS thinks many people will be dissuaded from going due to the new mandates. “Based on a recent survey of our long-time New York IMS audience, we strongly believe these restrictions will have a negative impact on the overall attendance, and we will not deliver the quantity and quality attendance our customers, both exhibitor and attendee, are expecting,” explained the organizers in a statement. 

The Progressive IMS Outdoors show was scheduled to run September 3 through 5, 2021 at the Brooklyn Army Terminal. IMS says those that purchased tickets will receive full refunds within 7-10 days. For those still interested in attending an event in the northeast area, organizers recommend the September event in Pennsylvania as an option, which is a three-hour drive.  

Recently, the pandemic has resulted in the cancellation of other events like the Handbuilt Motorcycle Show in Austin, Texas and the Auto Show in New York. Although there is uncertainty across the country regarding further disruptions due to the current COVID surge, IMS is optimistic about their remaining shows. “We remain confident that the other Progressive IMS Outdoors events on the 2021 schedule, each with less restrictive health and safety mandates, will continue as planned.” 

As of now, there are seven IMS Outdoors shows scheduled in Chicago, Pennsylvania, Texas, Nashville, Central Florida, Atlanta and Southern California.