Though Shimano pulled its booths, including G. Loomis, PowerPro and Jackall, out of the Bassmaster Classic Expo Outdoor Show getting underway Friday amid concerns over the coronavirus, PR director Emily Harley says the Classic is still on course as always, and in fact the Expo is expected to be the biggest ever in terms of vendor numbers.

However, she says the usual flu season precautions around large groups of people are recommended, and that hand sanitizers will be located throughout the convention floor.

The giant outdoor show opens at BJCC in Birmingham on Friday. Hours are noon to 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Daily take-offs are at Civitan Park in Guntersville at 7 a.m. Daily weigh-ins for the Classic competition at Legacy Arena begin at 3:15 p.m. daily. Visit https://www.bassmaster.com/news/attend-2020-academy-sports-outdoors-bassmaster-classic-presented-huk for details.