The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers has canceled this year’s 15th annual ASCAP Experience music conference over concerns about the spreading coronavirus, it was announced Monday (March 9).
“Out of consideration for the health and safety of our members and all other participants, and due to rising concerns about the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), the determination has been made to cancel the 2020 ASCAP Experience,” said the organization in a statement.
Held annually, ASCAP Experience offers a mix of performances, networking mixers and panels. This year’s edition was slated to take place from April 1-3 in downtown Los Angeles with keynote speakers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and panelists including Jason Mraz, Poo Bear, Dan Wilson and Marco Beltrami.
ASCAP added that it is “exploring other ways of gathering our music creator community, whether in person or virtually, at a later date and hope to share more on that soon.” All ASCAP Experience attendees are eligible for a full registration refund.
The global spread of the coronavirus has led to the cancellation of a number of high-profile music events over the past week, including South by Southwest in Austin, the Ultra Music Festival and Winter Music Conference in Miami and international events including France’s Tomorrowland Winter and Ultra Abu Dhabi.
