As the COVID-19 pandemic is still making an impact in the UK across many business sectors, the EI Live! 2020 exhibition has been postponed until 2021.
Following several very well-attended Zoom conference calls with exhibitors, and after looking at correspondence from those unable to attend the Zoom calls, the organisers have taken the decision to postpone the show until 2021.
The overwhelming consensus of opinion was that exhibitors did not want to run the risk of putting their staff in danger of catching the virus. Organisers also surveyed all pre-registered visitors with a simple question – ‘Should the show go ahead, would you attend, Yes or No’ – and the response was 70/30 per cent in favour of not attending.
The message from the industry has been that a postponement was the best option. What was coming over loud and clear, was that the industry is desperate to showcase its products and services to the industry, but safety comes first. Also, given recent experiences, if we went ahead with the show and the country experiences a spike with the virus, the Government could lock down again, scuppering any plans for this year.
Organisers are negotiating with the venue now to secure dates for next year. Those dates will be communicated to the industry as soon as they are confirmed.
However, there will still be a chance for exhibitors to showcase their products and services as there is the launch of “EI Live! Interactive week”, a virtual event in late October (around the dates the live show would have taken place over over the entire week).
EI Live! will present a week-long series of events taking place online with a completely new initiative to provide a chance for EI Live! Exhibitors to demonstrate their latest designs and products. Details are being finalised now and more information will follow in the coming weeks.
