The American Numismatic Association (ANA) had to adapt to the current situation, too. Not only did they have to cancel their 2020 Summer Seminar, as a result of the suspension of several programs they also had to eliminate several staff positions.
ANA 2020 Summer Seminar Cancelled…
The ANA announced that the 2020 Summer Seminar, scheduled for June 27-July 9 in Colorado Springs, Colo., has been cancelled due to coronavirus safety concerns.
“While it seemed inevitable with each passing week, we were officially notified by Colorado College today that they are suspending all summer programs and camps in order to ‘restrict participants who have travelled to or from affected areas’ associated with the coronavirus pandemic,” says ANA Executive Director Kim Kiick.
Held on the campus of Colorado College adjacent to the ANA, Summer Seminar is a once-a-year opportunity for numismatic learning and camaraderie that offers hundreds of students from around the world a varied selection of week-long courses designed for discovery or continued study. This is the event’s first cancellation in its 50-plus year history.
…And Rescheduled for 2021
“I know the students, instructors and staff are very disappointed in not being able to have a Summer Seminar this year,” says ANA President Steve Ellsworth. “However, we are in agreement with Colorado College’s decision and they have assured the ANA that they will work to reschedule Summer Seminar for 2021. We feel a huge loss of fellowship with our students and seminar instructors, as well as our team who has worked for months to make this beloved event a success. But our first priority is for the health and safety of our attendees and our community, so this is the right decision.”
Scholarships that were awarded for the 2020 Summer Seminar will be honored for the 2021 event. Anyone who has pre-registered for the 2020 event will receive a full refund.
ANA Consolidates Staff Responsibilities
The ANA eliminated several staff positions as a response to COVID-19 and the resulting suspension of several programs.
“Yesterday, I had the sad task of having to bid farewell to four of our team members working in areas of club outreach, facilities, library and seminar/events,” said ANA Executive Director Kim Kiick on April 24, 2020.
“The ANA has been using significant sums from our reserves to support operating expenditures,” says Kiick. “Our operating deficit has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting suspension of several programs. I have found it necessary to identify savings wherever possible, which includes eliminating several positions tied to programs that are currently inactive.”
The responsibilities held by those individuals released from employment will be dispersed among existing staff, according to Kiick. Logan Curtis will be the primary contact for ANA clubs and district representatives with support from the membership team; Curtis also will continue in her role as conventions coordinator. Sam Joseph will take the lead on facilities coordination while also fulfilling his expo manager responsibilities. Brianna Victor, seminars manager, will be taking a lead role on virtual education programming, working closely with the ANA IT Committee, led by Chairman Rob Oberth.
COVID-19 forced the closure in March of the Edward C. Rochette Money Museum and the Dwight N. Manley Library, while also compelling the cancellation of the ANA’s Summer Seminar. The museum and library will remain closed through May 31; the ANA headquarters offices will begin a phased re-opening for up to 50 percent of its employees beginning May 4, with social distancing and other safety measures strictly enforced. The remaining team will continue to work from home.
“Staff reductions are difficult for everyone,” says Kiick. “Certainly it’s a blow to those who have been let go, but it’s hard on the entire team – more so because everyone is working from home and there is not an opportunity for a proper goodbye. But those that remain understand that our transition to a stronger, more financially-viable organization may mean that we run leaner and that our programs may look different.”
Click here to read the ANA’s statement on the cancellation of the 2020 summer seminar.
On their website, the ANA informs about postponements and cancellations of ANA events due to COVID-19.
For a comprehensive list of all numismatic events affected by COVID-19, have a look at our CoinsWeekly overview, which is updated constantly and shows all cancelled or postponed numismatic events.
