ISEE explosives and blasting conference canceled

ISEE’s next annual conference will take place in 2022. Photo: iStock.com/Xesai

The 47th Annual Conference on Explosives & Blasting Technique, which was scheduled for Feb. 7-10, 2021, is now canceled.

The event was scheduled to be held at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida.

“On behalf of the board of directors, I regret to announce that the 47th Annual Conference on Explosives & Blasting Technique has been canceled,” says Alastair Torrance, president of the International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE), in a statement. “The board came to this decision after considerable research into the viability of hosting a quality conference under the prevailing conditions. Ultimately, we have to observe health and safety requirements, and do our part to ensure that all participants and ISEE staff remain safe.”

According to Torrance, the ISEE board came to the conclusion that there was too much uncertainty about the pandemic in the months to come.

“There is a major risk the conference would have substantially fewer delegates and a much-reduced exhibition, as well as a technical program that would be compromised by the difficulties in travel,” Torrance writes. “We did not want to tarnish the reputation of ISEE conferences by delivering an experience that was not up to standard. Despite the significant financial impact on the ISEE, the best decision for the health and well-being of our members, industry partners and staff was to cancel now.”

ISEE’s focus now turns to providing suitable online training materials and potential networking opportunities for its members.

“The absolute format of this is being worked out, but ISEE is committed to providing a resource for the industry to continue to learn and practice the science and art of explosives engineering in a safe and practical manner,” Torrance writes.”

ISEE plans for its next annual conference to take place in 2022.