April 2, 2003 – Santa Clara, CA – Intel Corp. said it was canceling major technology forums in Taipei and Beijing due to fears over the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus.

“This decision has been made in response to the increasing concerns from developers and media attendees due to health alerts and travel advisories issued by various governments in reaction to the SARS virus,” Intel said.

The 2003 Intel Developer Forum, a twice-yearly event, was scheduled for April 14 – 15 in Taiwan and April 17 – 18 in China.

Taiwan firms make the majority of the world’s notebook computers and motherboards, while China is one of Intel’s fastest growing markets, and the US firm brings top executives to two-day forums to brief local companies and media on technology trends.

Intel said it would change the format of the forum to a series of smaller briefings in place of one major gathering, and CEO Craig Barrett, who had been scheduled to give keynote speeches, would postpone his visit, reported Reuters.

Intel said other developer forums scheduled for Tokyo, Bangalore, and Berlin, as well as a second round of conferences set for autumn, would proceed as scheduled.