Cancelled
2020 Fish Futures Banquet and Auction

Like most of us, you have probably been closely monitoring the news reports of the increasingly wide spread COVID-19.

In the past few days, the World Health Organization has called COVID-19 a pandemic, and health authorities have identified new cases of the coronavirus throughout Canada as well as four confirmed cases now in Winnipeg. The Manitoba Health Minister has suggested that the public not participate in large public gatherings where there is an increased risk of spreading the Coronavirus.

Fish Futures believes that the safety, health and wellness of our community and patrons are of utmost importance. Fish Futures further believes it is our moral obligation not to engage in, or promote, any gathering that might put anyone at risk.

Even though the Fish Futures Banquet is more than 6 weeks away, we have received several inquiries from our sponsors and guests inquiring about the status of the Banquet. The Fish Futures Organization has a strong understanding of protecting environments and has a commitment to doing so. The Board of Directors met to discuss these issues and swiftly determined that we must, in good conscious, and in compliance with the Manitoba Health Minister’s request, refrain from promoting any public gathering and therefore are cancelling the 32nd Annual Fish Futures Banquet & Auction which was scheduled to be held on April 30, at the Victoria Inn and Conference Center.

We will need a bit of time to figure all of this out, as this is our only fundraiser each year and we respectfully ask for your patience. In addition, we have decided that it is not practical to reschedule the Banquet to the fall of 2020.
 
In the days ahead we will be reaching out to those of you who have already purchased tickets or have agreed to sponsor the Banquet to discuss next steps.

The silver lining is that we look forward to seeing all of our guests at the 2021 Fish Futures Banquet and Auction. Mark the date - Thursday, May 6th, 2021 - on your calendar, as we promise it to be our Biggest and Best Banquet ever!

Sincerely,

John Armitage
Co-Chair Fish Futures Banquet Committee
Jerry Kruczek
Co-Chair Fish Futures Banquet Committee