Citing widespread COVID-19 vaccinations and the re-opening of Chicago, the U.S. Apple Association’s Board of Directors decided to go forward with plans for an in-person conference in August. The 126th Annual Crop and Outlook Marketing Conference is planned for August 19-20 in Chicago, the association said in a news release.

“I think we are all ready to get back to seeing one another and having those in-person experiences as the ‘new normal’ begins to take shape,” said USApple President and CEO Jim Bair in a statement. “While our virtual Outlook conference last year was a big success, meeting virtually can’t compare to seeing one another face to face.”

The event will abide by all Centers for Disease Control recommendations regarding COVID-19 safety, the association said. For those who do not yet feel safe traveling to an in-person event, USApple hopes to be able to make video recordings of the meeting proceedings available, as well.

Meeting registration will open in early June, according to the news release. More information is available at usapple.org/events