NAB Show Postponed from April to October Amidst Ongoing Pandemic Concerns

NAB 2021 moved to Oct. 9-13 in Las Vegas about six months after National Association of Broadcasters canceled 2020 show during height of COVID-19 outbreak.

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NAB Show Postponed from April to October Amidst Ongoing Pandemic Concerns

National Association of Broadcasters president and CEO Gordon Smith announced today the 2021 NAB Show will be postponed from April 11-14 to Oct. 9-13 in Las Vegas because of ongoing concerns about the continuing spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

The decision to push back the 2021 edition of the NAB Show comes about six months after association officials canceled the 2020 show after initially postponing it to the fall.

Smith sent a letter to all NAB members explaining the decision to postpone the 2021 NAB show to the fall.

As we look ahead to 2021 and beyond, our top priority is to deliver a successful NAB Show. We recognize the vital role NAB Show plays as a driver of innovation and an economic engine for the global media and entertainment industry.

With that in mind, it is critical we act on your behalf and in a way that will best serve the long-term interests of the industry.

We have worked diligently over the last few weeks and months monitoring a range of variables, including health and safety concerns, economic indicators, industry developments and travel restrictions, to gain an understanding of overall trends and future conditions for holding a major event in 2021.

We have also reached out extensively to the show community to collect feedback.

Through all of this we have witnessed growing concern and uncertainty over what the next six months will bring; enough that there appears to be a good deal of reluctance around participating in large events in the first half of next year.

The pandemic remains a significant threat and the evidence suggests it will be well into next year before it could be under control in the U.S.

We also have our own concerns around being able to deliver the type of event in April that will not only drive results, but one that can be produced safely for all involved and without significant limitations on the experience.

The decision, wrote Smith, was made “in the interest of supporting the business, health and safety concerns of our show community.” The change means the New York NAB show may move to a different date, but will allow NAB to co-locate with the 2021 Radio Show.

We have done our best to avoid direct conflicts with other domestic and international events, and have reached out to allied organizations and partners to both share our thinking in advance and to offer to work collaboratively toward turning this into an opportunity for all.

With a new date set for the 2021 NAB Show we are looking at the entirety of the calendar next year with fresh eyes. We plan to continue bringing the industry together in a number of ways.

We are also committed to creating new and meaningful experiences to engage and connect with you throughout the year on NAB Amplify. This dynamic, year-round digital platform will extend the impact of NAB Show throughout the year by providing opportunities for networking, discovery and education.

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