The Atlantic Venture Forum has decided to postpone its 2020 conference due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The forum, which brings together Atlantic Canadian founders and a range of investors, was due to have taken place May 6 and 7 at the Lord Nelson Hotel in Halifax. However, Critical Path Group, which hosts the event, announced Friday that it now plans to hold it at a later and as yet to be determined date.

“It is definitely a postponement only,” said Critical Path Principal Marc Elrick in an email.  “We will be working hard again as soon as the landscape clears.”

The group said in a press release that its priority is the safety of its delegates, and the current levels of uncertainty, concern, and travel restrictions brought about the decision. Many attendees travel internationally to Canada for the AVF, so Critical Path decided the best course of action would be to delay the conference.

The 2020 event is to be the eighth annual AVF, which attracts investors from inside and outside the region. As well as keynote speakers, there are five-minute presentations by both early- and growth-stage companies in four streams: ICT;  sustainable technologies; life sciences and health technologies, and ocean technologies.

“We are working with the venue to reschedule the event and will provide an update once we have new dates in place,” said Critical Path in a statement. “With this news, we are happy to credit all registered delegate tickets to the rescheduled event date or process a full refund.”