Perhaps not surprisingly, PhotoPlus 2021 has been cancelled. Originally scheduled for September 30th until October 2nd in the usual Javits Convention Centre in New York, it’s been pulled with just three weeks notice. Organisers state that this is “due to developments regarding the ongoing progression of the COVID-19 pandemic and related company-imposed travel restrictions”. The news was just sent out to press, exhibitors and attendees via email, and they say that for exhibitors who have made deposits for the in-person event, options will be provided in the coming days. For attendees who might have already booked flight and accommodations, though, no mention has been made for those people who might have now lost their money.
While PhotoPlus may be cancelled, other shows still seem to be going ahead, like The Photography Show in the UK, which begins on September 18th. But they’ve not escaped the consequences of the pandemic either as big exhibitors like Pixapro have pulled out of the show. Major manufacturers unable to bring their international teams over also have either reduced or no presence at the show this year. It will be interesting to see how TPS manages to get back onto a March schedule after doing a shot in September, too.
The cancellation of the live event is due to developments regarding the ongoing progression of the COVID-19 pandemic and related company-imposed travel restrictions affecting customers’ ability to gather in New York for PHOTOPLUS. While the decision to cancel is a disappointing one, we recognize the extreme demands that the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on establishments, and particularly small businesses, in this industry.. It is of the utmost importance to our entire team that we deliver an incredible event experience to our attendees when we are once again able to meet in person. Our team is already laying plans for a revamped and revitalized PHOTOPLUS, all the while bringing back your favorite brands, the energy you expect from a live event, and exciting new elements. When asked about PHOTOPLUS 2021, Show Director Joe Kowalsky stated, “The decision to not move forward with a live PHOTOPLUS in 2021 was not an easy decision to make nor one that our team enjoyed making. Bringing together visual storytellers to learn and be inspired is at the core of what our team loves to do. However, as an optimist, I find a silver lining on every dark cloud. Looking ahead to 2022, our team is poised to provide greater value to our audience than we ever had before, while being given the opportunity to imagine a new dynamic experience reflective of what visual storytelling is today. So, stay tuned in and be ready, it’s going to be fun!” For all exhibitors who have made deposits for the in-person event, PHOTOPLUS will provide options, and communications will be sent in the next few days. While we will not be able to gather in person this year, we are still going full steam ahead with our brand new premiere educational platform, PHOTOPLUS Learning Lens. We’ve already held our first two live sessions and will be rolling out fresh, new content year-round that you asked for, presented by the industry speakers you love. Contact your account executive and see how your brand can get involved today! PHOTOPLUS looks forward to uniting with the photography and video communities at the next full-scale and in-person show in 2022. PHOTOPLUS will provide more information, dates, and plans for next year as they become available over the coming months. Every decision made for the in-person event will ensure we host a successful, safe, and healthy event for our exhibitors and attendees. Sincerely, Joseph KowalskyShow Director NAB New York has been shifted to Vegas, as there hasn’t been a NAB in Vegas since 2019. That’s happening between October 9-13th, but it wouldn’t surprise me if we got a notification that that show was to be cancelled, too. Many companies still aren’t willing to take the risk of travel, particularly ones travelling between different countries – which is understandable given the circumstances in the USA. For PhotoPlus, though, it looks like you’ll be waiting til 2022.
