Utah Manufacturers Association postpones awards event until Nov.

The Utah Manufacturers Association has rescheduled its annual awards banquet due to the surge in COVID-19 brought on by the omicron variant.

“It is with an abundance of caution and concern that the executive board and board of directors for the Utah Manufacturers Association determines it is necessary and appropriate to reschedule the Annual Awards Banquet from the end of this month (Jan. 29) to November of this year, in its regularly scheduled time slot,” the association said in a release. The organization said the anticipated peak of the omicron variant is expected right at the time of its scheduled event.

“Moving forward with and holding the banquet under the current and anticipated circumstances would negatively affect the already tenuous and precarious nature of the workforce in our industry and state putting at risk the individuals, families and team members who are the engine of Utah manufacturing and the economy,” the UMA statement said. “Being cautious is the right choice and the only choice.”

The UMA said any individuals or organizations scheduled to be involved with the banquet would receive a call from a UMA team member about the changes.