NEW YORK — Citing the COVID-19 health crisis, the event organizers BolognaFiere and the Professional Beauty Association have postponed the 18th edition of Cosmoprof North America until September.

The event, originally scheduled to be held beginning on June 20, is now slated to be held from from September 20 to 22.

“We have decided that rescheduling the show is necessary to ensure we are providing our partners and guests with the safest and most fulfilling experience,” BolognaFiere Cosmoprof SpA general manager Enrico Zannini said in a statement. “We have a responsibility to protect our exhibitors’ investments while delivering a show that meets and exceeds our international guests’ expectations. This decision was not made lightly and follows careful consideration of the global health emergency at hand.”

That message was echoed by Steve Sleeper, Executive Director of the Professional Beauty Association.

“The health and safety of our partners and guests is our number one priority, and we will continue to monitor this constantly evolving situation accordingly,” Sleeper said. “As the beauty industry as a whole is forced to physically separate during this time, there is no doubt that we will come together stronger in the months ahead to create a show experience that resonates and connects.”

The officials said Cosmoprof North America will continue to monitor government agencies and public health officials, including the CDC and WHO, in the coming months, and will make ongoing assessments based on what is happening. They said that in the meantime, “the entire team will be focusing on reorganizing the show’s dynamic activations and initiatives to ensure that the 18th edition is its most successful yet, and that we can offer a safe and productive environment for all.”