As the coronavirus outbreak continues to take a toll on the human lives and economic performance of global countries, the tech industry is not immune. Several tech conferences across the world have been called off due to the spread of the virus, which is yet to be declared as a global pandemic. The cancellation of the major tech conferences has already surpassed $1 billion, claims reports with bigger losses being predicted.
However, the advancement of technology has played a major role in keeping the industry and other activities related to the same running. Several conferences across the world are being delayed to cancelled temporarily has left an impact on the tech ecosystem but that’s not all.
Many companies are asking people to work from home unlike never before, conferences are happening as live video streams, educational programs are being conducted online, and more. This makes us believe that the digital ecosystem has become an effective alternative to physical workspace and conferences.
Of course, big companies in the space seem to have already started considering the same. Having said that, here is a list of all major conferences that have been cancelled due to coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Google I/O
Google I/O is one of the biggest tech events of the year wherein the company announces new products and features. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the company announced that it is calling off the event that was slated to be held at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in California as usual. In addition to this, Google has also prohibited employees from travelling to other countries without special permission.
Facebook F8
Facebook announced that it will cancel the F8 Developer Conference, which is one of the biggest events hosted by the social media giant. Usually, it attracts thousands of employees from across the world. Usually, Facebook F8 takes place in San Jose, California. Though the developer conference has been called off, the company has plans to host smaller local events.
Microsoft Build
Microsoft Build developer conference was slated to happen in May in Seattle as usual. While it is one of the largest annual conferences to happen every year, the company might cancel or postpone the conference due to the coronavirus outbreak. Last year, over 6,000 people from across the world gathered to attend the conference. We are yet to get an official confirmation from Microsoft regarding this.
TNW Conference
The TNW Conference 2020 has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak. The event has now been rescheduled to happen on October 1 and 2. Known as the flagship event in Amsterdam, this conference has been postponed with the prime focus being on the well-being of partners, attendees, rescheduling events, etc.
Paris Blockchain Summit
The Paris Blockchain Summit was expected to be held in Paris at the end of this month but the event has rescheduled to happen in December. The event has been postponed due to the rising coronavirus outbreak. This decision has been taken by big players in the cryptocurrency and blockchain.
MWC
The Mobile World Congress is one of the biggest phone shows in the world wherein most brands will take the wraps off their flagship models. This year, the event is no longer taking place as the trade show hosted by GSMA in Barcelona has cancelled it. The association came up with such a decision as more companies and exhibitors started pulling out themselves from the event.
Geneva International Motor Show
The Swiss officials banned all gatherings of over 1,000 people in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The automobile makers are left in chaos as the most important automotive trade show of the year has been called off. There could be separate events from brands in the near future.
MIPTV
The French conference organiser Reed Midem officially cancelled MIPTV due to the coronavirus outbreak. The cancellation has not been cancelled but got postponed due to the proximity to Mipcom market and its festival component. MIPTV’s cancellation follows the ban of indoor gathers of 5,000 people.
SXSW
The City of Austin has cancelled the SWSX and SWSZ Edu. Notably, this is the first time in over three decades for this event to be cancelled. As the city has declared a disaster for coronavirus, the event has been cancelled. It is a very important event in many ways. Slated to begin on March 13, SWSX is considering rescheduling the event.
Samsung Sales Event
Samsung has suddenly called off the Sales Event slated to happen in Utrecht. The company took this move due to the strict guidelines of the Dutch government with regards to the coronavirus and high risk assessment for relations and employees. The company planned to host the annual Sales Event at Central Studios in Utrecht.
TechEx
TechEx will not host the event this year and will postpone the same until March 2021. The event has been postponed taking the health and safety of press, speakers, partners, and attendees in concern. This move comes at the right time when there is a rapid escalation and health concerns due to the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
REVOLUTION Conference
Due to the spread of the coronavirus, the REVOLUTION Conference has been postponed until September 8, 2020. The conference was slated to happen in Amsterdam. Though it has been postponed, they will host the first-ever REVOLUTION DIGITAL with Roger Atkins on March 31.
E3 2020
E3 2020, the much awaited gaming event has been officially cancelled by its organisers – Entertainment Software Association (ESA) due to the coronavirus outbreak. The organisers of the event have made this move due to public health concerns across the globe. The ESA is in plans to hold an online experience sometime in June this year.
OMR Festival
OMR Festival 2020 that was slated for May 12 and 13 has been cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. This is the first time in history that the OMR Festival has been cancelled. And, it has been announced that it will be hosted next year.
BIC 2020
BIC (Blockchain Innovation Conference) 2020 was slated to happen in June this year in Utrecht. The event has been cancelled on account of the coronavirus outbreak. Even guests and sponsors withdrew from the event.
Startupbootcamp Fintech Demo Day
Due to the ongoing global concerns around coronavirus, the Dutch government and the WHO have made changes to Startupbootcamp Fintech & Cybersecurity Demo Day. The event slated for April 3 has been postponed but a specific date is yet to be revealed.
EU-Startups Summit
The EU-Startups Summit slated to happen on May 28 and May 29 in Barcelona has been postponed due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The restrictions on public gatherings, travelling across borders, and public health concerns have forced them to reschedule the event. The event will happen on April 29 and April 30, 2021.
Stock photo from SamaraHeisz5/Shutterstock
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