SAP drops out of SXSW, all events in March due to coronavirus concerns
The logo of German software and cloud computing giant SAP is seen on January 28, 2020 in Walldorf, southwestern Germany. - German software giant SAP reported a bottom line undermined by heavy restructuring costs, but lifted forecasts for the year ahe ((Photo by DANIEL ROLAND/AFP via Getty Images))
AUSTIN, Texas - Another company has dropped out of SXSW due to concerns about the coronavirus.
Software company SAP has decided to pull out of all their planned events for March, including SXSW. SAP posted an announcement on their website about the decision.
"The health and well-being of our customers, partners, and employees are the top priority for SAP," they said in the announcement. "Out of an abundance of caution related to the transmission of COVID-19, we have made the decision to cancel all SAP in-person events in the month of March 2020."
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The decision includes their Concur Fusion event in Orlando, Fla., their Ariba Live event in Las Vegas, their SAP NOW events in March and their participation in all third-party events, including SXSW.
SAP joins social media companies Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok and media company Mashable, who have all decided to cancel events at SXSW due to concerns over the coronavirus.
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A petition to cancel SXSW has been started on Change.org and as of Wednesday afternoon, had over 44,000 signatures. The person who started says she's concerned about the hundreds of thousands of people who will be traveling to Austin for the conference and festivals.
SXSW posted on their website that they are working with local, state, and federal agencies and will be proceeding with this year's event as planned.
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"SXSW is working closely on a daily basis with local, state, and federal agencies to plan for a safe event," the website says. "As a result of this dialogue and the recommendations of Austin Public Health, we are proceeding with the 2020 event with the health and safety of our attendees, staff, and volunteers as our top priority."