Tropical Storm Fay has certainly changed my plans this week. Instead of being in a plane on my way to Ft. Myers, FL for the Florida Citrus Expo, I’m staying home. The final word on the status of the event is pending the next forecast this morning but it doesn’t look good.
I spoke with Gary Cooper, President, Southeast AgNet, on my way to the airport this morning and he said, “Turn around.” Good call I think after looking at the latest NOAA projection map. It looks like it could go right over top of the show site. Updates on the situation are being posted on the Citrus Expo website and on Southeast Agnet.com.
I was going to be part of the team down there blogging the event and also spending some time with Gary’s staff continuing some new media training. I’m sure that opportunity will arise again.
So, what do I do now?
Post Update: Here’s the decision on the Florida Citrus Expo:
AS OF 8:20 a. m. Monday August 18, 2008:
Citrus Expo has officially been cancelled due to the latest weather forecasts related to Tropical Storm (possible hurricane soon) Fay calling for a pending landfall in the area over the next couple of days. The Lee Civic Center concurs with this decision.
Further information will be posted to this website in coming days and we will be in contact with exhibitors, speakers and vendors directly. This is a final decision and official notice, Citrus Expo has been cancelled for this week.
We greatly regret this decision and have waited as long as we feel we should to see if the storm would take a stronger turn either west or east to allow for the event to go on. Without any assurances of either, we are left with no other choice at this time. We apologize for the inconveniences this will mean for many, but it is a situation totally out of our control.
ZimmBite – No Florida Citrus Expo on 12seconds.tv