The latest in a long line of tradeshow casualties due to the COVID-19 pandemic is the annual Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), North America’s largest oil and gas industry focused convention.

On April 2, officials announced that the event, which was scheduled for May 4-7, would not go on as planned.

“As we navigate these difficult and uncertain times, it is with a heavy heart that the OTC Board of Directors has determined that it is in our best interest to cancel OTC 2020. Our priority is the health and safety of our attendees and exhibitors, and we have taken federal, state, and local guidelines into account in making our decision,” said OTC chairperson Cindy Yeilding.

“On behalf of the OTC Board of Directors, we would like to thank the staff, authors, partners, volunteers, students, teachers, and all involved with OTC for the dedication and hard work they have contributed to the 2020 event,” Yeilding added. “As we face this uncharted territory, we remain confident of OTC’s critical role in the offshore industry’s future and eagerly anticipate a robust OTC 2021.”

All of the content and presentations that were slated for the tradeshow will eventually be available at OnePetro.org.

The event, which is held in Houston each year, is expected to return May 3-6, 2021.