Everything you need to know about the electronics industry events

Due to many countries imposing a ban on mass gatherings, we have seen many events across the electronics industry cancelled or postponed. This article aims to keep you, as our readers, up to date with the latest announcements on trade shows in our industry.

Event: LOPEC

Status: Cancelled

Original Date: 24^th - 26^th March 2020

New Date: 23^rd - 25^th March 2021

What they’ve said: Due to the increasing spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Europe and on the basis of the recommendations of the Bavarian State Government as well as of the responsible health authorities, Messe München feels compelled to cancel LOPEC 2020. This measure is taken in consultation with the industry association OE-A, co-organiser of LOPEC, and in responsibility for the health of exhibitors and visitors. The next LOPEC will be held on 23^rd - 25^th March, 2021.

Falk Senger, Managing Director of Messe München and the executive who oversees LOPEC, said: “In close consultation with our LOPEC partner OE-A and our exhibitors, it is unfortunately not possible for us to successfully hold the event this year for participants of the Exhibition and Conference. Cancelling LOPEC 2020 was a painful decision. By making it, we have assumed our responsibility for the health of our exhibitors, conference speakers and visitors.” Klaus Hecker, Managing Director of the industry association OE-A, added: “The OE-A supports this step. We will now put all our energy into organising a successful LOPEC 2021.”

Event: Drives & Controls

Status: Postponed

Original Date: 21^st - 23^rd April 2020

New Date: 25^th - 27^th January 2020

What they’ve said: DFA Media, organiser of Drives & Controls Exhibition and co-located shows, has been actively monitoring and following advice regarding the Coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) over the past weeks. It has been decided that Drives & Controls Exhibition and its co-located events will be postponed and rescheduled for 25th-27th January 2021, which will take place alongside MACH Exhibition. The co-location of events include: Drives & Controls, Fluid Power & Systems, Air-Tech, Plant & Asset Management, Smart Industry Expo.

“We have been following UK Government guidelines and working with the rolling advice from the public health authorities and other organisations, but the effects, actual and projected, of Coronavirus are becoming increasingly evident across all aspects of our lives both here in the UK and across the globe. As a responsible events’ organiser, ensuring the health and wellbeing of all our exhibitors, contractors and visitors (many of whom face travel restrictions) has to be our top priority and it is therefore with reluctance that we have taken the decision to postpone the event until January.” said Ian Atkinson, Event Director, DFA Media.

 Event: Hannover Messe

 Status: Cancelled

 Original Date: 20^th - 24^th April 2020

 New Date: 12^th - 16^th April 2021

 What they’ve said: The world of industry will not be able to meet in Hannover this year. Comprehensive travel restrictions, bans on group gatherings and a prohibition decree in the Hannover region make it impossible to stage HANNOVER MESSE. At the same time, the corona crisis is affecting the economy, and the manufacturing industry - HANNOVER MESSE's core clientele - is already struggling with serious consequences of the pandemic. Demand and sales in German industry are declining, resulting in supply bottlenecks, production stops and reduced working hours for employees.

"Given the dynamic development around COVID-19 and the extensive restrictions on public and economic life, HANNOVER MESSE cannot take place this year," said Dr. Jochen Köckler, Chairman of the Board of Management, Deutsche Messe AG. "Our exhibitors, partners and our entire team did everything they could to make it happen, but today we have to accept that in 2020 it will not be possible to host the world's most important industrial event."

It is the first time in HANNOVER MESSE's 73-year history that the event will not take place. However, the organisers will not let the show completely vanish. "The need for orientation and exchange is particularly important in times of crisis," said Köckler. "That is why we are currently working intensely on a digital information and networking platform for HANNOVER MESSE that we will open to our customers shortly."

Various web-based formats will enable HANNOVER MESSE exhibitors and visitors to exchange information about upcoming economic policy challenges and technological solutions. Live streams will transport interactive expert interviews, panel discussions and best-case presentations all over the world. The online exhibitor and product search are also being enhanced, for example with a function that enables visitors and exhibitors to contact each other directly.

 Event: PCIM 2020

 Status: Cancelled

 Original Date: 5^th - 7^th May 2020

 New Date: 7th - 8th July 2020 (digital presentation)

 What they’ve said: Due to the increasing spread of COVID-19 in Europe and the associated ban on all major German events up to, and including the end of August, the PCIM Europe exhibition and conference 2020 in Nuremberg has been cancelled. The event had already been postponed from May to 28th-30th July 2020, and will now take place again next year.

The virtual format will offer a digital alternative for knowledge transfer in early July 2020. According to the Federal government's guidelines dated 15th April 2020, all major events are prohibited in Germany until 31 August 2020. For this reason, the international PCIM Europe trade fair and conference cannot take place this year in Nurnberg from 28th-30th July 2020 as planned.

Digital formats are currently being developed with which exhibitors and speakers can exchange views on product innovations and the latest research topics with visitors and participants virtually. This also includes an online conference with live and on-demand solutions for interactive presentations. We plan to implement these virtual formats with digital presentation and exchange opportunities from 7 – 8 July 2020. Further information will follow shortly.

"It is a great pity to have to cancel this year's PCIM Europe in Nuremberg. However, the health of our exhibitors, visitors, speakers, participants, partners and employees, is of course, our top priority," explained Petra Haarburger, Managing Director of Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH.

"We hope that cancelling the event can make a contribution to further delaying the spread of COVID-19 in Europe, so that our everyday lives will gradually return to normality in the near future.“

The exhibition and conference for power electronics and its applications will take place regularly from 4th-6th May 2021 in Nuremberg.

 Event: Ceramics Expo

 Status: Postponed

 Original Date: 5^th - 6^th May 2020

New Date: 22^nd - 23^rd September 2020

What they’ve said: The wellbeing of our exhibitors, visitors, staff members and contractors is of paramount importance to the Ceramics Expo 2020 organiser (Smarter Shows Tarsus Ltd), alongside a commitment to delivering events that are hugely beneficial to both exhibitors and our visitors.

Having closely monitored recent developments around the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), and listened to feedback from across the industry, we have decided to postpone Ceramics Expo 2020, now we have secured our preferred alternative dates in the Fall.

Whilst this is not a decision that has been taken lightly, we feel that it is the right one - not just for the wellbeing of people attending the event, but also for the advanced ceramics industry. With our new dates in place, we are confident that Ceramics Expo 2020 will be fully accessible and open for business, giving the industry a platform to meet, connect, and do business.

“Whilst we’re disappointed the event isn’t taking place in May, as we had originally planned, our new dates in September have given us the opportunity to fully focus on delivering a successful 2020 edition. We appreciate the support we have received from our key partners - around the decision to postpone - and we’re anticipating a hugely successful event, featuring the same amazing speakers and the same unique mix of exhibitors, when it takes place in September.” said Danny Scott, Event Director, Ceramics Expo 2020.

 Event: London Tech Week Festival

 Status: Postponed

 Original Date: 8^th - 12^th June 2020

 New Date: 2^nd - 10^th September 2020

 What they’ve said: After close consultation with our partners and advisors, we have made the difficult decision to postpone our upcoming London Tech Week festival in June until 2nd - 10th September this year. The experience and the health and safety of our customers, partners and staff always come first to us in the delivery of our events, and the global situation with COVID-19 means we can no longer deliver the festival experience in June.

 Event: automatica also co-located with The Sensor Show

 Status: Postponed

 Original Date: 16^th - 19^th June 2020

 New Date: 8^th - 11^th December 2020

 What they’ve said: Due to the increasing spread of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and based on the recommendations of the German Federal Government and the Bavarian State Government, Messe München feels compelled to postpone automatica 2020. This measure has been taken in consultation with the VDMA Robotics + Automation Association as conceptual sponsor and in responsibility for the health of exhibitors and visitors. automatica 2020 will instead take place from December 8 to 11, 2020.

“Under the given circumstances, opening automatica in the middle of June would not be justifiable toward our customers, in particular from a medical and economic perspective,” Falk Senger stated, Managing Director of Messe München and responsible for automatica. “Now, we are looking forward to hosting a successful automatica 2020 together with the industry in December.”

  Event: Subcon

  Status: Postponed:

  Original Date: 9^th - 11^th June 2020

New Date: 28^th - 30^th September 2020

What they’ve said: MA Exhibitions Limited, which owns and runs Subcon, The Engineer Expo and The Manufacturing Management Show, has taken the very difficult decision to reschedule the event from 9th -11^th June to 28th -30^th September, 2020.

As organisers, our number one priority is to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of all of our exhibitors, visitors and staff. Given the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the concerns shared by a number of the show’s partners, we have decided that in order to minimise the risks to visitors and exhibitors, the event will now take place at the end of September in Hall 6 NEC.

We also believe that by moving the show to September, we will be able to offer a better experience for visitors and exhibitors than we would under the current conditions.

All existing exhibitor bookings will be automatically transferred to the new dates and a member of the team will be in touch over the coming days to discuss any questions you might have. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the show’s partners for their understanding in this matter and we look forward to working with you to deliver an outstanding event in September.

 Event: Sensor+Test

 Status: Cancelled

Original Date: 23^rd - 25^th June 2020

What they’ve said: The preparations for the SENSOR+TEST 2020 in Nuremberg were already in top gear. From the 23rd to the 25th of June, 2020, the call was supposed to be “Welcome to the innovation dialog!” Regrettably, like many other trade fairs, the SENSOR+TEST will not be held this year. This is because of the continued development and existing critical risk inherent in the COVID-19 pandemic. The circumstances have led to the prohibition of public events in Bavaria, where the SENSOR+TEST thus cannot take place.

“Our team has fought tooth and nail to carry out the SENSOR+TEST 2020,” said organiser Holger Bödeker. “Nevertheless, the event can unfortunately not take place. event.” This was a difficult decision, but necessary for the protection of the populace and the health of the visitors and participants of the fair.

“We’ll see each other from the 4th to the 6th of May, 2021, at the next SENSOR+TEST for the Innovation Dialog,” said Bödeker. “Stay in good health!” The trade fair will take place jointly with the SMSI 2021 - Sensor and Measurement International Conference and the PCIM Europe, as well as the SMTconnect.

 Event: European Microwave Week

 Status: Postponed

 Original Date: 13th-18th September 2020

 New date: 10th-15th January 2021

 What they’ve said: In light of the global pandemic and related measures imposed by the respective authorities, European Microwave Week (EuMW) organisers have decided to reschedule the event to 10th-15th January 2021 in order to enable as many conference and exhibition visitors to join as possible.

The event will be held in Utrecht, The Netherlands, and will encompass the 50th European Microwave Conference, the 15th European Microwave Integrated Circuits Conference, and the 17th European Radar Conference. The technical programme and exhibition will provide an opportunity for attendees to experience the latest products, research, and initiatives in the microwave sector.

“We are pleased to have been able to reschedule our event to provide more recovery time,” said Frank van den Bogaart, President of EuMA, “EuMW exhibitors, participants, and technical co-sponsors should know that we are working to create an exceptional event that offers opportunity for networking, product demonstrations, and a conference that advances the state of the art.”

  Event: Productronica India

  Status: On schedule

  Original Date: 23^rd - 25^th September 2020

 What they’ve said: The show organisers haven’t released any statements about COVID-19, however, we will update this page with the latest information when they do. The show is scheduled to go ahead as planned for now.

 Event: IoT World Congress

 Status: On schedule

 Original Date: 27^th - 29^th October 2020

 What they’ve said: The show organisers haven’t released any statements about COVID-19, however, we will update this page with the latest information when they do. The show is scheduled to go ahead as planned for now.

 Event: electronica

 Status: On schedule

 Original Date: 10^th - 13^th November 2020

What they’ve said: The show organisers haven’t released any statements about COVID-19, however, we will update this page with the latest information when they do. The show is scheduled to go ahead as planned for now.

 Event: SPS IPC Drives

 Status: On schedule

 Original Date: 24^th – 26^th November 2020

 What they’ve said: The show organisers haven’t released any statements about COVID-19, however, we will update this page with the latest information when they do. The show is scheduled to go ahead as planned for now.