Ifa 2021 was canceled as a pandemic claiming another technology event
The Tech European Show Ifa has been canceled this year, with IFA 2021 no longer takes place as a physical event in Berlin, Germany. This event – similar to CES, consumer electronic performances held in Las Vegas every January, are only open to the public and with a variety of broader categories covered – shifted to the dominant online format for 2020, during peak pandemic.
But the goal, according to the IFA Organizer Messe Berlin, always returned to his old event in 2021. The presence of performances usually numbered tens of thousands, with global media and members of the gate of German guests and members stand – some of them were large – scattered in several dozen hall performances in the complex extensive Berlin.
That, obviously, is not conducive to keeping social as long as a very contagious pandemic. What Messe Berlin has expected is a trend of downloading Covid-19, along with uptick in vaccination, so that physical events can be held without experiencing health problems. That, organizers conceded today, did not arrive quickly as needed.
“In the end, some of the main global health metrics did not move as soon as the right direction as expected,” said Messe Berlin today, “from the rapid appearance of the new Covid-19 variant, for example in South Asia, to continue uncertainty about the speed of the launch of the vaccination program Worldwide. This in turn adds to uncertainty for companies that are committed or interested in coming to Berlin, as well as media and visitors – all must be well planned with budget, investment, and travel – not only for IFA, but all similar events throughout the world. “
CES 2021, back in January, shifted to online events only for the same reason. At present, the CEA organizer said they planned to return his old event to CES 2022 in January next year.
“There is only too much uncertainty,” Kai Hillebrandt, chairman of the GFU Consumer Supervisory Board & Electronic House GmbH who worked with Messe Berlin to arrange IFA. “Therefore, it is almost impossible for anyone to plan their participation in a trade show.”
The IFA facility will not be empty, thoughts. Part of the exhibition complex is being used as a vaccination center and emergency hospital facilities. According to the company, “both now tend to be needed longer than anticipated initially.”
This is a blow to the German company, and indeed the Berlin economy, which sees a dramatic uptick on visitors from the media and companies during the event each September. IFA will hold a kind of online partner event instead, although it is not clear how successful is the standard style of consumer technology compared to the real benefits of seeing the first product.