IFA Berlin 2021 organizers Messe Berlin and gfu Consumer & Home Electronics GmbH have just announced that the Germany-based tech expo is canceled due to the rapid emergence of COVID-19 variants and “continued uncertainties about the speed of the rollout of vaccination programs around the world.”
The reasons mentioned, according to the company, brought on added hesitance among companies to commit to participating at the trade show in addition to media and visitors who would have to plan accordingly with the frequent travel rule changes.
“There simply are now too many uncertainties. Therefore, right now it has become near impossible for anyone to responsibly plan their participation in any trade show.”
Kai Hillebrandt, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of gfu Consumer & Home Electronics GmbH
Another reason IFA Berlin 2021 is canceled is that the exhibition area has been converted to a vaccination center and an emergency hospital facility.
“We did not take this decision lightly. IFA Berlin is arguably the most important event of the year for brands and retailers alike. IFA Berlin connects our industry with trade visitors, media, and real consumers like no other event. However, the health and safety of everybody has to be absolutely paramount. The efforts to contain this pandemic – from the roll-out of vaccination programs to the resumption of international travel – did not happen at the pace we had hoped for. Given these developments, this difficult and disappointing decision was inevitable.”
Martin Ecknig, the CEO of Messe Berlin
The organizers stated that they will get everything ready for IFA 2022 which will be held as a full-scale live event and take place from September 2-6, 2022.
Source: Gadget Pilipinas
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