The National Association of Broadcasters has pushed back the date of its annual trade show from April to October 2021, saying the uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic left it hesitant to hold a major event in the first half of the year.

CEO Gordon Smith announced Wednesday his association had decided to reschedule the NAB Show for Oct. 9-13, 2021, in Las Vegas. As a result of the move, the group is considering alternate dates for the NAB Show New York, which is held around the same time. However, the decision means the group can co-locate its 2021 Radio Show with the Las Vegas event.

Smith said NAB considered a host of variables on whether to move forward in April with the event, which drew more than 91,000 attendees to Las Vegas in 2019. The group canceled this year's events and instead launched a virtual platform for exhibitors and attendees. The group came to the decision to postpone the 2021 show after receiving feedback from its community.

"The pandemic remains a significant threat and the evidence suggests it will be well into next year before it could be under control in the U.S.," Smith said. "We also have our own concerns around being able to deliver the type of event in April that will not only drive results, but one that can be produced safely for all involved and without significant limitations on the experience."

NAB is not the first association to push back a major event until later in 2021. The National Retail Federation previously announced it was pushing back its live Big Show from January to June and will hold a virtual event at the start of the year.

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