Over the past several months, it has become painfully clear that COVID-19 isn’t a problem that we’re going to leave behind in 2021. After hemming and hawing a bit, the CTA ultimately pulled the trigger for an online-only version of the show in January. Other tech shows are similarly — at best — still up in the air. There’s also the example of IFA, which was recently held in Berlin — albeit at a greatly reduced capacity.

Mobile World Congress, which traditionally falls in the late-February/early-March time frame was among the first major tech shows to be canceled on account of the pandemic. There was understandably a lot of last-minute handwringing on that one — but in hindsight, it’s pretty clear the GSMA made the correct decision.

It’s certainly a difficult decision when dealing with a hardware show, where so much of its appeal lies in the ability to interact with devices in-person. That’s been a consistent shortcoming in all of 2020′s online-only hardware events. Such a show loses a lot of luster when it occurs entirely through a computer screen.

IFA’s executive director discusses why the tech show must go on
Jens Heithecker on why the Berlin trade show is still happening in-person amid the COVID-19 pandemic
https://techcrunch.com/2020/08/28/ifas-executive-director-discusses-why-the-tech-show-must-go-on/?tpcc=ECFB2020

CES PRESS RELEASE
CES 2021 Moves to an All-Digital Experience
https://www.ces.tech/News/Press-Releases/CES-Press-Release.aspx?NodeID=321a27ba-86f2-4c8d-92d2-fb0f4580ed18

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® today announced CES® 2021 – January 6-9, 2021 – will be an all-digital experience connecting exhibitors, customers, thought leaders and media from around the world. The new format will allow participants to hear from technology innovators, see cutting-edge technologies and the latest product launches, and engage with global brands and startups from around the world.
“Amid the pandemic and growing global health concerns about the spread of COVID-19, it’s just not possible to safely convene tens of thousands of people in Las Vegas in early January 2021 to meet and do business in person,”

For over 50 years, CES has been the global stage for innovation. CTA’s goal for CES 2021 is to provide an engaging platform for companies large and small to launch products, build brands and form partnerships, while prioritizing health and safety. Members of the tech community thrive by coming together, sharing ideas and introducing products that will shape our future.

Coronavirus cancels Computex 2020, Taiwan’s PC showcase
https://www.pcworld.com/article/3562376/coronavirus-cancels-computex-2020-taiwans-pc-showcase.html

Although a “Computex Online 2D exhibition” will debut September 28, it doesn’t sound like Computex is being replaced by a virtual version, like other trade shows.

CES will be held in-person in Las Vegas next year
Other companies are canceling large conferences
https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/3/21279157/ces-2021-physical-event-planned-las-vegas-cta-coronavirus

The group behind CES plans to hold the enormous tech convention in person in Las Vegas next January, despite concerns that the coronavirus pandemic may still be a threat. The Consumer Technology Association has announced that it intends to give exhibitors a way to showcase their products “both physically in Las Vegas and digitally.”

The stakes are high for CES. It’s one of the largest conventions held each year in Las Vegas, responsible for bringing a huge number of visitors to the city, with around 175,000 attendees last year. The Las Vegas Convention Center, the primary venue where the event is held, is scheduled to complete a $980 million expansion just in time for next year’s show. And while consumers may know CES as the event where new TVs, cars, and other gadgets are announced, it also remains an important venue for meetings between retailers, manufacturers, and all the companies in between.

Startup-yrittäjien ja sijoittajien Slushia ei järjestetä tänä vuonna koronaviruspandemian takia.