IFA 2021 canceled due to new COVID-19 strains, will return next year

IFA Berlin is an annual trade show for consumer electronics held in Germany. This year, the organizers planned to have an in-person event, but that will no longer be happening as the event has now been canceled.
 
The info was shared by the official IFA Berlin Twitter account yesterday along with a link to a full statement. The organizers cite the occurrence of new strains of the virus to uncertainties about the rollout speed of vaccination programs across the globe. These reasons have led to uncertainties by not only companies that plan to attend but also the media and visitors.
 
The organizers have also revealed that part of the exhibition area has been converted into a vaccination center and an emergency hospital and both will be required for longer than originally planned.
 
“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
 
Martin Ecknig, the CEO of Messe Berlin added that the roll-out of vaccination programs and the resumption of international travel didn’t happen at the pace they envisioned, thus they had to make the difficult decision of canceling the event. However, plans are already in motion as well as work with trade partners and the media to get ready for IFA 2022 “which will be held as a full-scale live event at the Berlin exhibition grounds”. The event is scheduled to hold from September 2 to September 6.
 
 

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