Dear friends and partners of the SPNHC & ICOM NATHIST Joint Conference, It is with great disappointment that we have to inform you that due to the continuing escalation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Conference due to take place from 7th – 13th June this year will be postponed until 5th – 11th June 2022, taking place in the same venue at the University of Edinburgh. Unfortunately, since 2022 is a triennial meeting year (in Prague) for all ICOM Committees, ICOM NATHIST will not be able to be part of the 2022 SPNHC meeting. However, we look forward to working together with ICOM NATHIST on other projects in the future. For delegates who have already registered and paid their fees, we propose that this is simply transferred over to the 2022 congress so that there would be no need to go through the registration process again. However, if any delegates wish to cancel, we will honour a full refund of their fees, so long as they inform us of their cancellation by Friday 5th June 2020. Abstract authors will be contacted in due course about the option to submit a new abstract. Sponsor and exhibitor bookings will also be transferred to the new dates in 2022 and we hope that companies will be able to continue to participate. If any companies wish to cancel, we will honour a full refund of their fees, so long as they inform us of their cancellation by Friday 5th June 2020. For individuals who have booked accommodation through the link on the Conference website, you will be contacted regarding cancellation of your reservation. If you have made independent accommodation arrangements, then please check the cancellation policy with the accommodation provider directly. The email address for queries and cancellations is: naturalhistory2020@in-conference.org.uk We understand that this decision will inconvenience many of you and we hope this will not deter too many of our delegates, sponsors and exhibitors. We thank you for your patience and understanding and we hope that you remain well.
Kind regards, SPNHC & ICOM NATHIST 2020 Organising Committee
National Museums Scotland, Scottish Charity, No. SC 01113