The US print industry's leading trade show Printing United Expo 2021 has been cancelled just five weeks before it was due to start in Florida as new Covid cases in the state reached more than 21,000 per day. The show moves to Las Vegas in October 2022.
"The growing uncertainties and spike in cases resulting from the COVID-19 Delta variant and its depressing effect on registration and exhibitor participation has created a set of conditions that do not give us a reasonable chance to deliver an even marginally successful tradeshow event of a certain magnitude where the showcasing of equipment is the primary driver," said a statement from organisers Printing United Alliance.
"We have therefore been forced to cancel this year’s event. This decision was not made lightly and comes after conferring with many of our exhibitors, regularly monitoring sentiment from you, our attendees, and the weight of opinion -- all which supported the cancellation of this year’s show.
"Our commitment to the industry in providing best-in-class events has not waivered, and we will execute nothing short of an exemplary event experience for all involved. It became certain to us at this point that, directionally, we have no ability to deliver to that standard.
More detailed information about this update can be found on the PRINTINGUnited.com FAQ page.
"We thank our exhibitors, attendees, and industry at large for the continued support and constant feedback we’ve received during this ever-changing climate. We remain committed to being your go-to printing industry association partner and look forward to a successful show October 19-21, 2022, in Las Vegas, together with you!”
Printing United Expo 2021 was due to take place at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando on Oct. 6-8.
In its latest update, the Florida Department of Health - which has stopped reporting daily COVID-19 cases and moved to a weekly update - said Orange County recorded 9,048 new cases in the week August 20-26. The state of Florida is now averaging more than 21,000 cases each day.
Companies who were to exhibit their latest technology at the event included 3M, Agfa, Durst, EFI, Epson, Esko, Fujifilm, HP, INX, Mutoh, Mimaki, Nazdar, Onyx Graphics, Roland DGA, TVF, Ultraflex, and Vanguard.
Wideformat Online publisher Andy McCourt comments, "This is a great shame but the Florida location made it an inevitable postponement. It's the worst affected state and my American contacts say they are nervous about going there. Despite this, trade shows are returning little-by-little; it's essential that they do. Pack Expo is on from September 26-29 in Las Vegas and pre-registration visitors are already over 12,500. If our own PacPrint had not been moved to June 2020, it would have been among the first major international shows to take place post-covid. People are fed up with zooming etc - we are 'wetware' i.e. flesh and blood and we need to associate, talk and huddle. FESPA Amsterdam is going ahead October 12-15 but the main issue for us Aussies and Kiwis is ability to travel and quarantine requirements. FESPA Mexico starts on September 23.
"Labelexpo Asia is still scheduled for December 7-10 in Shanghai, with the main Brussels, European edition due to open on April 26, 2022. PacPrint Melbourne will open at the end of June. We are seeing light at the end of the covid tunnel!"
