KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — UPDATE (Feb. 10): Officials said that since Knoxville is extending its COVID-19 restrictions through the summer, they will move the Fanboy Expo event to the fall. It was originally scheduled to start on June 25.
"The good news about this is that it gives us more breathing room to plan the best event possible while making sure vaccinations are available and people can attend safely," officials with the event said in a post on Facebook.
They also said that the Columbus event was moving, since the city was also planning to extend its COVID-19 restrictions through summer.
Information about specific dates the events were rescheduled to, or any change in the event's offerings, was not immediately available.
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Many fans missed their chance to participate in the annual Fanboy Expo in Knoxville last year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, officials said they're working to prepare for events in 2021.
The Knoxville event is now scheduled for June 25 - 27, and officials said they have been assured by city officials that they will be able to host it over the summer. However, they will have guidelines in place to keep people safe from COVID-19.
Guidelines will include requirements for fans to wear masks and practice social distancing. Officials also said they are planning for around 30% capacity, but are hoping to have 50% capacity by June.
Organizers have been working with officials and health departments at each city the convention is hosted in, according to a post on Facebook. They also said they are flying to each city multiple times to update and finalize plans.
The convention also plans to hold an event in Columbus, July 23-25. Organizers said that the Q&A panel room will be in a ballroom in a Hyatt connected to the convention center as part of their COVID-19 plan in the city.
The Orlando convention is currently planned to be held Aug. 20-22. They plan to have at least 50% capacity at that show, as well as a Destination Sci-Fi event in Indianapolis Sept. 10-12.
The COVID-19 plans will lay out everything from ticket sales, food vending, floor set-up and airflow.