The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has announced that it will move its 2021 NAB Show annual conference and exhibition from April 11-14, to October 9-13, 2021 in Las Vegas. The new date, announced as NAB prepares for its 2020 event that similarly was moved from April to October due to the COVID-19 pandemic, likely means a new date is forthcoming for NAB Show New York, typically held that month. The new dates also overlap with SCTE Cable-Tec Expo’s 2021 dates of October 11-14.
“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,” wrote Gordon H. Smith, NAB president and CEO, in a letter to the NAB Show community released to the press.
“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,” Smith continued. “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.”
Smith acknowledged that plans for NAB Show New York will have to be changed. The 2021 Radio Show will co-locate with NAB Show in Las Vegas, as will NAB’s Sales and Management Television Exchange. Smith added that NAB will explore adding additional partner events.
