What They Say
Florian Rotberg of Invidis interviewed Mike Blackman, Managing Director of ISE, about the situation for ISE in Barcelona, which was postponed to 1st-4th June. His organisation has surveyed potential visitors and exhibitors about the event and at the moment there is a positive view that the event should go ahead.
Blackman said that at the moment, 80% or so of the top 100 exhibitors are still signed up, although many are taking smaller spaces than previously planned. The overall size will be around 20% down, but the event will still be ‘the biggest AV show in the world’.
The event will be a hybrid between physical and virtual activities and ISE is working with airlines to try to ensure that capacity is available for visitors.
At the moment, the expectation will be that exhibitors and visitors wear masks and temperature checks will be made at the door.
What We Think
I went to ISE last year, one of the last events I attended, and with some trepidation. I remember shaking the hand of someone from China at the end of the meeting, then getting worried and dashing off to the washroom to thoroughly wash my hands, ‘just in case’.
Last week I was talking to a PR friend about whether this event will go ahead. Just a few minutes later, ProLight and Sound in Frankfurt was cancelled. I’m not a gambler, but if I was, I wouldn’t bet money that ISE will go ahead, at least not in June. I suspect it will be the autumn before events really get going again. (BR)
