CEO DATELINE - More big trade shows canceled as pandemic rages on
CEO DATELINE - More big trade shows canceled as pandemic rages on
- August 6, 2020 |
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Walt Williams
Three of the nation's largest association trade shows—the SEMA Show, PACK EXPO and AAPEX 2020—were canceled Wednesday as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the live events industry.
The Specialty Equipment Market Association and PMMI—The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, announced the cancellations of their respective trade shows in separate statements. The SEMA Show had been scheduled for early November in Las Vegas while PACK EXPO was to be held around the same time in Chicago.
At the same time, the co-owners of AAPEX—the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association and Auto Care Association—said their November event in Las Vegas had also been called off. The event takes place at the same time as the SEMA Show and draws the same crowds.
All four associations cited uncertainties about attendee safety and facility availability as factors in their decisions.
"The PMMI Board determined that due to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and the current state and local regulations, it was not possible to have a safe and productive event for attendees and exhibitors," the association said in a statement.
The SEMA Show, PACK EXPO and AAPEX join an ever-growing list of association event cancellations, which now stretch into early 2021. Both the Consumer Technology Association and National Retail Federation are replacing their January events with virtual events, although NRF is planning on holding a live event in summer 2021.
Together the SEMA Show and AAPEX typically attract more than 161,000 people to Las Vegas. PMMI holds different PACK EXPO events in the U.S. and Mexico, with last year's show in Las Vegas attracting 31,000 attendees.
PMMI plans to hold a virtual event—PACK EXPO Connects 2020—in place of this year's show. The event will feature live chats, live product demos and educational opportunities, according to the association. The organizers of AAPEX also plan to transition it to a virtual event.
SEMA said it was exploring a virtual event and will work with industry players to determine the level of interest in possible alternatives to a live show.
"The SEMA Show is committed to furthering businesses in the automotive specialty equipment market, and to providing manufacturers and buyers with the best opportunity to connect, promote new products and discover new trends," SEMA CEO Chris Kersting said.
SEMA also said it would provide full refunds for exhibitor booth deposits and attendee registration fees.
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