IFA Berlin cancels its 2021 edition due to global health uncertainty

Berlin Trade Fair y GFU Consumer & Home Electronics, organizers of the main European consumer electronics event, have jointly announced that IFA 2021 will not take place in September as a physical event as initially planned.

The decision was made after numerous conversations by the organization with public health experts. Ultimately, several key global health metrics did not move as quickly in the right direction as had been expected, from the rapid emergence of new COVID-19 variants, for example in South Asia, to continued uncertainties about the speed of rollout of vaccination programs around the world.

This, in turn, is adding uncertainty to companies committed or interested in coming to Berlin, as well as to the media and visitors, all of whom have to plan budgets, investments and travel well in advance, not only for the IFA, but for all similar events around the world. Another factor to take into account is that Messe Berlin continues to support the fight against COVID-19 by converting part of its fairgrounds into a vaccination center and an emergency hospital center; Both are likely to be needed for longer than initially anticipated.

Kai Hillebrandt, presidente del Consejo de Administración de GFU Consumer & Home Electronics, reconoce que “la innovación necesita una plataforma; necesita el foco de atención mundial. Por eso las marcas y los fabricantes de toda la industria tecnológica estaban muy interesados en venir a IFA Berlín 2021. Lamentablemente, los últimos acontecimientos en materia de salud pública introdujeron demasiados riesgos en la planificación de todos para el evento”. Simplemente, ahora hay demasiadas incertidumbres. Por lo tanto, ahora mismo es casi imposible que alguien pueda planificar responsablemente su participación en cualquier feria”.

For its part, Martin Ecknig, CEO of Messe Berlin, emphasizes that "we have not taken this decision lightly. IFA Berlin is arguably the most important event of the year for brands and retailers. IFA Berlin connects our sector with trade visitors, media and real consumers like no other event. However, the health and safety of everyone has to be absolutely paramount. Efforts to contain this pandemic, from the launch of vaccination programs to the resumption of international travel, have not occurred at the pace we expected. In view of “These events, this difficult and disappointing decision was inevitable.”